Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is preparing for his debut Premier League season at Anfield, with the club's curtain-raiser against Newcastle United just days away. However, the squad has only welcomed three new additions this summer.
Victor Munoz (£34.6million), Jeremy Jacquet (£60m) and Ronald Araujo (loan with a £47.1m purchase option) are the Reds' incomings so far. With Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson departing, some feel more work is needed before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Reds allow three to leave
Liverpool have allowed young attacker Kieran Morrison to join Sheffield Wednesday on loan for the 2026/27 season. The 19-year-old signed a new Reds contract in May and made his full international debut for Northern Ireland in June.
Calvin Ramsay, who has played sparingly since joining from Aberdeen in 2022, is reportedly set to sign for St. Mirren on loan. He is out of contract next summer, meaning his Reds career could effectively be over. Ifeanyi Ndukwe, the final departing star, impressed hugely in pre-season but work permit issues mean the 18-year-old centre-back cannot play senior football yet for Liverpool. He is being shipped out on loan to Spanish side Levante and has jetted in ahead of a move to La Liga, where he will play until at least January.
Virgil van Dijk makes demand
Virgil van Dijk will begin the season with a new centre-back partner after Ibrahima Konate joined Real Madrid. Either Jacquet or Araujo will start next to him, but van Dijk has spoken out ahead of the campaign, demanding more from his team-mates and the new signings.
"For me personally, being a Liverpool player, last year was unacceptable," van Dijk said. "But that is last year. This year, we have an opportunity to turn that around, together with our fans."
"And we all know how tough that will be, but if you're not up for the challenge, then you're not at the right place. What I feel at the moment is everyone is up for the challenge. Let's see how we go about it."
"I'm really looking forward to this season and I don't think we have a point to prove to anyone. We have to show how much we care, how much we want to fight for this badge and also realise how privileged we are to be playing for Liverpool."
Van Dijk also referenced Iraola's previous work, saying: "If you look at Bournemouth last year (under Iraola), I think they were pretty exciting. I would say if we keep working, keep believing, keep showing our quality, staying fit, and hopefully win a lot of games then we can be very excited."
