“I’m absolutely shocked” – Liverpool slammed over lack of transfer acitivity | OneFootball

Liverpool Transfer Window Concerns Grow as Steve Nicol Questions Andoni Iraola Squad Build

Liverpool are drifting into the second half of July with more uncertainty than clarity, and that is a problem of their own making. The club have allowed major experience and quality to leave, while the incoming business has been limited to Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for £60m including add-ons and Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5m. On paper, that is movement. In practical terms, it does not look close to enough.

That was the central point raised by Steve Nicol on ESPN FC. His frustration was direct and, frankly, easy to understand. “I’m absolutely shocked. Pre-season has already started. They’ve already let more go again this year than they’ve brought in. They’ve brought in a young defender who’s raw as the day is long. Munoz is a head-scratcher, and that’s it? I don’t know what to say.”

Liverpool transfer window lacks urgency

There is no need to overcomplicate this. Liverpool have lost Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate without a fee. Those are not fringe players. Those are foundational names, leaders, and proven performers. Replacing that level of influence was always going to require decisive work. Instead, the club have moved slowly, and the squad currently looks thinner than a side expected to compete across four fronts should ever allow.

Andoni Iraola has already made it clear that he needs more additions before the market closes. That should have sharpened the focus inside the recruitment department. Instead, the noise around Liverpool has largely remained speculative, and the concrete business has stopped at two signings who may need time rather than being ready-made answers.

Nicol put it more bluntly than most, saying: “The whole rumour thing – even with the rumours, we’re only talking about two players. I’m sorry; I’m completely befuddled here. I’ve no idea what’s going on. Absolutely 100% they should have more signings by now, and the longer it goes without any [more], it just tells you they’re gonna end up gambling when they shouldn’t be.”

Photo: IMAGO

Andoni Iraola needs immediate support

This is where the issue sharpens. Iraola has just taken over a club that won the Premier League in 2024/25 under Arne Slot before falling away badly in 2025/26. He is walking into a job that needs quick repair, not a long drift through the market. A new head coach can work with youth, can improve structure, can lift energy, but he cannot manufacture depth out of thin air.

Liverpool need a right-sided attacker to cover the loss of Salah’s output. They need defensive reinforcement, particularly given the previous concerns around right-back and centre-back durability. They could also do with a proper number 6, someone who gives the side control and protection in a season where rhythm will matter.

None of this is radical analysis. It is squad management 101. When rivals move early and with intent, hesitation carries a cost. Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Tottenham have all acted with more aggression. Liverpool, by contrast, look like they are waiting for the market to solve itself.

Squad rebuild leaves little margin for error

The real concern is not simply that Liverpool have only signed two players. It is that they have spent heavily and still do not appear materially closer to looking complete. Nicol summed that up sharply: “They’ve just spent £100m on two players that we don’t know whether they’ll be starting if they had a game tomorrow, and they need five or six. I tell you what, I hope the bank balance is in good shape, because it’ll have to be.”

That may sound harsh, but the underlying point stands. Liverpool are still short in several key areas, and every delayed decision increases pressure later in the window. That is when clubs overpay, compromise, or settle for second-choice profiles. Good recruitment is usually proactive. Panic buying is what happens when planning slips.

There is still time, of course. A month in the market can change the picture quickly. But time alone is not a strategy. Liverpool need action, and they need it soon, because Iraola’s first season will be shaped heavily by what the club do over the next few weeks, not by what they meant to do.