Liverpool ‘definitely need’ this one position in transfer window, says Andoni Iraola | OneFootball

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has outlined the club’s transfer plans for this window and pinpointed one position on the pitch that they “definitely need” to address with incoming players.

Liverpool have already signed defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, although that deal was agreed back in January, and forward Victor Munoz from Osasuna this summer.

However, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all left the club, while the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are sidelined through injury. Transfer guru Michael Edwards has also left Anfield this summer, throwing a lot of their plans up in the air.

open image in gallery

Andoni Iraola has outlined his transfer plans for the window (PA Wire)

Iraola was reticent to commit to an exact number of signings when he spoke to reporters in Chicago as part of Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States but acknowledged that a Salah replacement on the wing was a non-negotiable addition.

“I think it is difficult to say a number,” said Iraola. “When the market is open, you have to be always open to new options to improve the squad.

"There are obvious situations where we need to sign players. Winger for example, we definitely need to sign a winger, but there are other situations where we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what is the cost, how we also see the players we have.

“We have some tricky positions where we have injured players that we trust, but it is still not the ideal situation, so it will depend on a lot of things.”

Iraola also addressed the future of 33-year-old goalkeeper Alisson, amid speculation that he may leave Anfield this summer, and insisted that the Brazil international’s veteran presence would be crucial to what Liverpool want to achieve.

open image in gallery

Alisson is someone Iraola wants to keep at Anfield (AP)

“I think he’s someone that definitely will help us in this process of adaptation of the new signings, of the new players, the young players,” added Iraola.

“We need the references like Virgil (van Dijk), like Alisson, like Joe Gomez, players that have been here for a long time. And I’m sure we will have this help, yes.”

Another player linked with a move away is Alexis Mac Allister, who will return for pre-season training later this summer after taking a break following the World Cup, where he reached the final with Argentina.

The 27-year-old midfielder – who has two years left on his contract – has been connected with a move to Spain but Iraola has no interest in allowing one of his star men to depart.

“I think Alexis has been one of the best players of the club last year and has had a very good World Cup,” Iraola said. “It is normal that other clubs want our best players, our good players, it always happens in other markets.

“But I want to, also as other clubs want, I want to keep my good players. Probably I’m looking forward more to signing new players than the ones we have here.”