Liverpool F.C. manager Andoni Iraola is considering a transfer deadline day squad trim to address the club's substantial wage commitments. The Daily Mirror Football reports the total wage bill sits around £163 million, not including recent arrivals Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo. This comes as the Reds sit 13th in the Premier League with two points from two draws, scoring and conceding four goals. They are four points behind leaders Manchester City ahead of their next match against Ipswich Town.
Virgil van Dijk leads the payroll at £350,000 per week. Big-money signings Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch each earn £280,000 weekly. Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo are on £250,000 per week. These figures, sourced from Spotrac, illustrate the financial weight carried by the squad that won the 2025 Premier League but finished fifth the season before. The club's investment includes the £125m signing of Isak and the potential £116m deal for Florian Wirtz.
Several squad members are candidates for departure. Cody Gakpo is linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City and could command a fee up to £85m. Selling him and others would create significant savings. Harvey Elliott, earning about £65,000 weekly, is not in Iraola's matchday squads and the Liverpool ECHO said he is "the subject of interest from Valencia ahead of deadline day, as well as several other European clubs." Stefan Bajcetic (£40,000/week) is nearing a move to Celta Vigo. Wataru Endo (£50,000/week) has started only two league games since the 2024/25 campaign, while Federico Chiesa (£150,000/week) has made just nine starts since his arrival.
Moving on five specific players could save the club approximately £555,000 every week. Over a full year, that sums to a saving of £28.86 million. Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola said the club "could look to trim the club's wage bill before the transfer deadline." This financial maneuvering is a key part of squad management as the club also prepares for the arrival of Bradley Barcola, who is expected to become a top earner.
Liverpool's early season form provides immediate context for any squad decisions. With a record of zero wins, two draws, and zero losses, the team has a goal difference of zero. They sit four points off the top in a crowded early table. Their next challenge is an away trip to face 12th-placed Ipswich Town on September 4th. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on our standings and fixtures pages. Balancing the books while maintaining competitiveness is the immediate task for Iraola and the recruitment team as the deadline approaches.
