Liverpool F.C. Enter the final week of the transfer window under pressure to solve a squad puzzle with limited funds. The club's customary post-window management meeting in early September, led by sporting director Richard Hughes, will follow what is expected to be frantic activity.
After a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United to open the season, Liverpool sit 10th in the Premier League with one point. They are two points behind early leaders Brighton and have a goal difference of zero, having scored and conceded twice. Manager Andoni Iraola's intense, attacking style was evident but left them susceptible to breakaways at St James' Park, a tactical vulnerability that shows the need for reinforcements.
The squad is described as strangely thin and lopsided, an issue that has become an absolute priority. Liverpool are most obviously shallow at full-back and in central midfield. Iraola's ideal football demands proper back-up in every outfield position, but the current group seems smaller in size than in previous campaigns. This creates a significant challenge for the club's hierarchy with multiple areas to focus on but not that much money to spend. One source framed the dilemma, saying, "it’s like they’re in a boat with six different leaks but which one do you plug?"
Liverpool have been intent on Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola. However, PSG want well in excess of £110m for the player, a price that has already put Arsenal off. A deal could potentially be offset by the sale of Cody Gakpo, who Manchester City remain interested in. The focus on an expensive winger points to how much Iraola's coaching prioritises attack and creating 'chaos' to tilt matches.
In defensive midfield, the top target is Bournemouth's Alex Scott. The 23-year-old was Iraola's hinge player during their time together on the south coast. Bournemouth have warned off all suitors, insisting they won't entertain bids in this window, with Chelsea also extremely keen and considering a high offer. The estimated fee for Scott is around £90m, a sum Liverpool cannot currently pay, leading to a sense they will wait until next year.
This time last year, Liverpool were the picture of largesse. They were gearing up to pay a record Premier League fee of £125m for Alexander Isak and had already spent almost £200m on attackers. That counter-intuitive approach, opting for individual quality, has quickly fallen behind. The squad now seems smaller, and the club cannot be as calculated as last year. The final week looks set to be frantic as they try to bolster many areas, potentially getting creative with finances.
The immediate focus shifts to the pitch and a home game against Nottingham Forest on 29 August. Forest are 15th in the table, presenting an opportunity for Liverpool to secure a first win. In the meantime, the club may have to make do in midfield in the way predecessor Arne Slot did in the 2024-25 season, which could see Ryan Gravenberch become newly important again. With the window closing soon, one source predicted "there’s going to be a lot of concerned faces" at Anfield if business isn't concluded. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on our fixtures and standings pages.
