Liverpool’s Transfer Conundrum and the Leeds Defeat
It goes against the grain, but I’m a Liverpool fan who doesn’t obsess over transfer rumours every window.
Over the past decade, Liverpool have thrived by signing rising stars rather than established superstars. This summer, much was made of the chase for Yan Diomande, a supposed generational talent.
Diomande appeared set for the deep pockets of European champions PSG, only for Real Madrid to move ahead in the race to sign him. Would Diomande have been a good signing for Liverpool? Personally, I’m not convinced.
READ MORE: Too Early Summer Assessment
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The Liverpool Transfer Model
The reality is that, despite Liverpool’s iconic status, the club often miss out on the most coveted signings.
Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni, for example, were always destined for Real Madrid. Alexis Sánchez and Martín Zubimendi chose Arsenal over Anfield, while Moisés Caicedo—so desperately needed as a defensive midfielder—opted for Chelsea in a heartbeat.
The following day, Roméo Lavia joined him at Stamford Bridge.
It’s baffling: Liverpool, with their history and stability, outmanoeuvred by Todd Boehly and his madcap Chelsea band. Yet this pattern has become familiar.
No tears need to be shed over these missed signings. While FSG’s frugality in the transfer market is often criticised, it hasn’t stopped Liverpool from being England’s most successful club in recent years—second only to a financially supercharged rival currently embroiled in controversy over financial irregularities.
Liverpool’s best transfer business has come from targeting players on the rise. Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Luis Suárez, Sadio Mané and Mo Salah all arrived before becoming household names.
The club’s history is also filled with shrewd buys—Kevin Keegan, Alan Hansen, Ray Clemence, Ian Rush, Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge and Andy Robertson—rather than headline-grabbing superstars.
Bargains and smart scouting have always been the Liverpool way.
Last Summer’s Rebuild
After winning the league in 2024-25, Liverpool shifted strategy and spent approximately £446 million in the transfer market. Significant player sales brought the eventual net spend down to around £218 million.
However, in the process, the title-winning squad was dismantled far too quickly. The influx and outflow of players left the team unbalanced.
The question remains: why fix what wasn’t broken?
As the club move from the heights of 2024-25 to the turbulence of 2025-26 under new manager Andoni Iraola, the consequences are still being felt as we enter 2026-27.
To paraphrase what is out there on the internet: Liverpool need to sign six or seven more players this summer.
When things were moving in the wrong direction last season, it was claimed there were too many new players, making it difficult to integrate them into the squad. Do the same fans want history to repeat itself?
It could be argued that, after one disastrous season, Liverpool Football Club have gone from relative stability into a full-on rebuild.
WATCH: Liverpool’s Transfer Situation and Squad Assessment
The £145 Million Question
The big question is: who replaces Mo Salah?
The hunt for a new superstar—now reportedly focused on Bradley Barcola, whom PSG are said to value at a staggering £145 million—seems to be about filling the void with another headline name.
Barcola is talented, but is anyone truly worth that fee?
For me, the priority should be integrating last summer’s two £100 million signings under the new manager. Additional recruits should complement that foundation.
I also questioned the value of the Alexander Isak transfer because of his injury history. He’s dynamite when fit, but that’s a big “if” based on recent history.
Barcola may not have Isak’s injury record, but no player is immune from setbacks. Wouldn’t it be wiser to invest £145 million in multiple players and strengthen the squad as a whole?
The Marc Guéhi episode should have taught the club about the perils of prioritising one marquee signing over genuine squad needs.
ASTV SHORTS: Is Barcola the Marquee Signing Liverpool Need?
Three Areas of Immediate Need
In an ideal world, signing three players for the first-team squad each summer would be perfect for my tastes.
Liverpool have already invested in two this summer: Jérémy Jacquet and Victor Muñoz.
For years, Liverpool have needed a bona fide defensive midfielder. However, it appears a new No. 6 is unlikely, as the Reds have more immediate needs in three positions: right-back, central defence and right wing.
CURRENT AVAILABILITY: Liverpool’s official injury and availability update
1) Right-Back
- Conor Bradley — talented but injury-prone. Currently sidelined with a long-term knee injury.
- Jeremie Frimpong — a good player, but appears better suited to a wing-back role than right-back.
- Joe Gomez — regularly plays full-back on either side of the field if needed, but is primarily a central defender. Currently injured.
- Calvin Ramsay — signed as a teenager and played two games under Klopp before suffering a series of injuries. A benchwarmer under Slot.
2) Central Defence
- Virgil van Dijk — past his peak but still a force. Liverpool would be in trouble if he were to pick up a serious injury.
- Joe Gomez — an underrated defender but too often unavailable. He is now facing another spell on the sidelines.
- Jérémy Jacquet — a highly rated new signing who is coming back from a serious shoulder injury and is being carefully nursed into the season.
- Giovanni Leoni — a top-rated prospect recuperating from an ACL injury. When will he be match-ready?
- Stefan Bajčetić — made his breakthrough under Klopp as a No. 6 but was originally a centre-back. He is on the verge of a comeback after a series of injuries.
- Wataru Endō — a No. 6 who can also play the position. Severely underrated by the fanbase and currently working his way back after an injury that kept him out of the World Cup.
- Mor Talla Ndiaye — starred in the U17 World Cup for Senegal and looked an impressive prospect during the preseason games.
- Ifeanyi Ndukwe — a standout in the Austria team that reached the U17 World Cup Final. See Ndiaye! His issue is that he needs another year before becoming eligible for a work permit.
3) Right Wing
- Federico Chiesa — a talented international who has been hampered by injuries. He was never given a reasonable run by Arne Slot. Will he stay?
- Lewis Koumas — a Welsh international who helped Hull City reach the Premier League last season. He has characteristics similar to players who excelled at Bournemouth under Iraola.
- Kieran Morrison — a talented Academy youngster who is already a Northern Ireland international.
- Jeremie Frimpong — a good player who can play the position in a pinch, but would likely be more effective as an impact substitute than a regular starter.
The Bigger Picture
Liverpool are in a tough spot. The title-winning squad was broken up too hastily, and it’s unclear whether there was a coherent plan for integrating last summer’s signings.
The Jota tragedy disrupted things further, but the lack of an overall vision remains.
Take Frimpong: talented, but does he truly fit into an Iraola system built around a back four? He was meant to be Trent’s replacement, yet his best role is still uncertain.
Some would also say that the Reds are light at centre-forward, given Isak’s injury record and Hugo Ekitiké’s long-term absence.
Chiesa or Koumas might be able to deputise, and there is talent in the Academy: Jayden Danns, Keyrol Figueroa, Josh Sonni-Lambie and Will Wright.
Danns is the best bet currently but, unfortunately, keeps the injury theme going. The remaining three would need to be eased into first-team football.
RELATED: Too Early Summer Assessment by T. Alex Hauber
What Should Liverpool Do Next?
As Iraola rebuilds Liverpool, I’d love to see a renewed focus on signing rising talents and giving Academy starlets greater opportunities.
Before making further signings, getting Endō, Bajčetić and Danns back fit would be a massive boost.
In my view, the top priority should be signing a starting-calibre central defender—ideally, one versatile enough to cover full-back as well.
A right winger would help, but not at £145 million. Let’s focus on getting the most from Wirtz and Isak first.
Mo Salah’s peak will never be directly replaced, just as Gerrard and Suárez weren’t. Teams evolve with new stars, and this season should see players like Dominik Szoboszlai and, perhaps, Rio Ngumoha step into the spotlight.
In the meantime, it’s worth tempering expectations. Liverpool are unlikely to compete for the title next season. This is a rebuild, not a continuation of the 2024-25 squad’s depth and quality.
ASTV SHORTS: Can This Squad Secure a Top-Four Finish?
That squad was ready-made for a new manager to lead to a title. With Jacquet and Muñoz already signed, adding another starting defender and a sensibly priced right winger should be the next step.
Thankfully, Liverpool have a resourceful manager once again. Iraola deserves time to instil his philosophy and rebuild team spirit.
By the end of the 2026-27 season, he’ll have a clear vision for shaping the squad. No more statement signings—let’s focus on smart, sustainable recruitment.
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The Sporting Director Question
Sporting director Richard Hughes is reportedly on his way out, so what are FSG going to do about it?
Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton are lauded for their recruitment. When are some of the bigger clubs going to learn the lesson and follow their lead?
The one appointment I would make is Dougie Freedman.
Who is he?
Crystal Palace’s sporting director from 2017 to 2025, now working in Saudi Arabia.
Why?
Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Marc Guéhi, Adam Wharton, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Daniel Muñoz, Dean Henderson, Ismaïla Sarr, Cheick Doucouré and Maxence Lacroix.
That’s some serious recruitment and a major factor in the success of unfashionable Palace over the past 18 months.