Andoni Iraola confident Liverpool will add to ‘quite thin’ squad

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola applauds the fans Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola insists they will “definitely sign some players” after admitting his squad is still “quite thin”.

The departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate – plus the pending sale of Curtis Jones – have in no way been offset by the recruitment of Spain winger Victor Munoz and Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet and a loan deal for fellow centre-back Ronald Araujo from Barcelona.

They are light up front as, in addition to losing Salah’s significant contribution, striker Hugo Ekitike is sidelined for several months after surgery on an Achilles tendon injury.

Liverpool had a £50million bid turned down for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh, who himself is likely to be sidelined for potentially three months after an operation on a leg injury sustained in pre-season, and reinforcing wide attacking areas remains their priority.

Paris St Germain’s Bradley Barcola is their preferred option, although they disagree significantly on his valuation, but it is understood the club are looking at a number of possibilities to establish availability and test the market.

“We will definitely sign some players. Some deals you have to wait until the end,” Iraola told Sky Sports.

“But the end is the important picture, the one we will have on September 1, because it is true that we are still quite thin.” 

Liverpool look set to start Sunday’s match at Newcastle with Jacquet, whose pre-season amounted to only 45 minutes of last weekend’s friendly against Como, in central defence and the primarily left-sided 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha on the right.

The teenager has started just 10 of his 30 appearances, although 12 months ago he did famously score a very late winner at St James’ Park after coming off the bench for his Premier League debut.