Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has explained the club remain "open-minded" over new recruits during the closing days of the transfer window, but admits he "hates" the overlap with the start of the Premier League season.
The Reds begin the new campaign on Sunday at Newcastle United with £60million centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, £34.5m winger Victor Munoz and on-loan defender Ronald Araujo their only new recruits, despite seeing a host of established players depart during the summer.
Departures and ongoing transfer business
Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all left on free transfers, while Curtis Jones is closing in on a £30m move to Serie A side Inter.
With deadline day approaching on September 1, Liverpool remain in the market for at least one winger, having held talks with Paris Saint-Germain over Bradley Barcola and seeing a bid rejected by Brighton for Yankuba Minteh.
Iraola on squad improvement
Iraola has opened up on the difficulties the Reds have in improving their squad beyond the obvious shortcomings in the forward line.
"As a manager, it's an easy one for me," said the Liverpool head coach. "I wanted the players from the first day on July 13, I wanted everyone here, all the positions doubled with top-level players.
"In terms of what we need, there are certain situations that are clear, especially out on the wing because we don't have enough players specific to play in those positions.
"In other positions, I think we have to be open-minded in the market to see situations that can honestly improve our team. It's not about signing players because we need them, it's about improving the squad.
"We have very good players already here, so to improve on these players we need a specific level of player."
Adapting to the market and focusing on Newcastle
Iraola, who will take charge of his first competitive game as Liverpool boss at the weekend having replaced Arne Slot as head coach, added: "But you understand how the competition works and the market is open when you start the competition, we have to adapt as coaches to this situation.
"I hate these two weeks or 10 days that we have because there is a lot of uncertainty but not (just) in Liverpool but everywhere.
"But we have to adapt and not spend too much time thinking about these things. I know that you have lots of questions on the market but I am focused on the game against Newcastle.
"That is massive for me and using the very good players we have in the building in the best way so we can be competitive from the beginning."
Jones departure and Trey Nyoni's role
Jones is in Milan to put the finishing touches on his move to Italy, having spent almost 20 years at Liverpool. Iraola accepted a departure was inevitable this summer for a player who is in the final year of his contract at Anfield.
"With Curtis, it is not official as there is an ongoing situation, but I understood with Curtis when we talked in the first or second training session," he said. "I value him a lot as a player and he loves this club, it's very clear. I understood the outcome was going to be what it is at the end."
Teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni is now expected to be more involved in the first team this season, and Iraola added: "I am very happy with Trey, very, very happy. He has been very good in pre-season, not only in the games but when training with us he is facing top-level players and he is at the level.
"I have no doubts with Trey, he will be very valuable this season and hopefully plays a lot and gives the level I am seeing every day in training."
