A season to forget, and a fresh start
Liverpool have turned the page. Andoni Iraola has replaced Arne Slot, sacked barely a year after winning the title. The club want that edge back, and the Spaniard arrives with three solid seasons at Bournemouth behind him.
The mood is still tense. Champions in 2024-2025, Liverpool slumped to fifth the following season. Fifty-three goals conceded, 12 defeats. Mohamed Salah has gone after his fallout with Slot. The rebuild starts now.
Pre-season has already flashed warning signs. Two defeats, against Leeds and Monaco, both after the Reds had led 2-0. The first-choice XI looks fine. The depth, not so much.
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Defence and midfield need work
The repair job starts at the back. Ibrahima Konate left on a free transfer for Real Madrid. Liverpool have moved quickly, bringing in Ronald Araujo on loan from Barca and young Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes. But Araujo takes them to 17 non-homegrown players, the maximum allowed.
Right-back is another worry. Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley keep running into fitness problems. In midfield, Iraola wants a pure ball-winner, the wrecking-ball type he leaned on at Bournemouth. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have to rediscover the level they hit in the title season.
The attack is the big priority
Up front is where the need really bites. Liverpool spent close to 200 million last summer on Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. The Frenchman has torn his Achilles and will almost certainly miss the whole year. Isak is back from injury, but he stays a fitness risk.
Out wide, more question marks. With Salah gone and Cody Gakpo linked with Tottenham, fresh legs are needed. Florian Wirtz, used as a No 10 behind Isak, has to kick on after seven goals and eight assists last season. Bradley Barcola, PSG’s star man, is said to be a target for the left flank. Richard Hughes has plenty to sort out before the window shuts.
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