New manager appointed 

©TM/IMAGO

Andoni Iraola has been officially unveiled as Liverpool’s new manager and the Spaniard has inherited a brimming inbox upon his arrival. After Iraola was identified as the ideal candidate to replace Arne Slot, Anfield chiefs moved swiftly to finalise contractual details with the 43-year-old penning a two-year contract. Iraola completely transformed Bournemouth during his three years on the South Coast, leading them to Europa League qualification last season.Fuelled by incredible recruitment, the former Spain international was instrumental in the development of several unknown talents into Premier League stars.

Question marks remain over how Iraola’s philosophy which plays huge physical demands will transfer at a club competing in European football, but he arrives with an esteemed reputation. Iraola has a pre-existing relationship with Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes from working together and they’ll be tasked with undertaking surgery on the current squad. Liverpool invested €481 million on new signings last summer and they’ll likely spend big again as they look to improve on last season’s underperformance.

Goalkeeper

There’s considerable uncertainty around the goalkeeping department at Liverpool this summer. Alisson’s contract expires in 2027 and there’s been speculation that he could depart amid significant interest from Juventus but it appears that he will stay. Liverpool, however, could still decide to cash in on the Brazilian international to avoid losing him for a free. ​​Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed as Alisson’s long-term replacement but the Georgian failed to truly convince last season and Liverpool have been linked with signing a new goalkeeper this summer, with Porto’s Diogo Costa mentioned.

Left-back

With Andrew Robertson departing this summer, Liverpool need a new left-back to challenge Milos Kerkez. The Hungarian struggled during his first season at Anfield but he improved as the season progressed and he will benefit from reuniting with Iraola. Kerkez blossomed under the Spaniard at Bournemouth to develop the reputation as one of the best young left-backs in Europe, which led to Liverpool signing him for €47m. Konstantinos Tsimikas is returning from his loan spell at Roma but he’s not good enough and Liverpool should cash in and bring in a younger replacement – keep an eye on Dayann Methalie of Toulouse.

Right-back

Liverpool desperately need a new right-back this summer and Dominik Szoboszlai can’t play there again next season. Jeremie Frimpong was acquired for €40m from Bayer Leverkusen last summer but he endured a disastrous maiden season. The 25-year-old realistically isn’t a right-back as he’s not good enough defensively at Premier League level and Liverpool should’ve been aware of that. Conor Bradley is highly-rated at Anfield but he sustained a serious injury and is expected to miss the majority of next season, so a right-back is required.

Centre-back

There was a growing expectation that Ibrahima Konaté would pen an extension at Anfield but the French international is poised to join Real Madrid on a free. That leaves Liverpool needing at least one new centre-back this summer, possibly two. The Reds have invested heavily to sign two excellent centre-back talents in Jérémy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni. Jacquet joins this summer from Rennes, while Leoni arrived one year ago but his maiden season was disrupted by a serious knee injury. Jacquet hasn’t featured since February due to a shoulder injury but both are tracking to return to full fitness for pre-season. That said, Liverpool still require an experienced option with Joe Gomez likely to depart.

Right-wing

It will be a near impossible task to replace Mohamed Salah given the Egyptian’s brilliance during his near-decade on Merseyside. Salah’s attacking numbers were simply phenomenal but it should be much easier to replace his output from last season. Liverpool will plan to make a statement signing at right-wing to replace one of their greatest ever players and they’ve reportedly opened talks with RB Leipzig over Yan Diomande. It’s understood that Leipzig want around €130m for the Ivory Coast international but that price tag could prove prohibitive.