Photo: AFC Bournemouth / CC BY 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has identified a winger as a clear transfer priority for the remainder of the summer window, speaking to reporters in Chicago on Tuesday during the club's two-week pre-season tour of the United States.
"A winger, for example – we definitely need to sign a winger," Iraola said. "But there are other situations that we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what's the cost, how we also see the players we have."
Iraola declined to put a specific number on total required signings, noting the window remains open and options can change. He did flag concern over defensive depth, particularly at right-back, where Conor Bradley is still some way from full fitness.
"If you have a fully fit, healthy Conor Bradley, we are very happy, ready to go and we would not be asking ourselves these questions," the coach said. "In terms of defensive depth, we are very thin right now so I think it's a solution that we are trying to find."
On goalkeeper Alisson Becker, whose future has attracted speculation, Iraola was unambiguous. He said the Brazilian remains central to the squad alongside new signing Giorgi Mamardashvili, and praised his value in the dressing room as experienced players continue to anchor a transitional group.
"Alisson is someone also in a changing room that has lost some references in terms of experience," Iraola said. "We need the references like Virgil [van Dijk], like Alisson, like Joe Gomez, players that have been here for a long time."
Iraola described Dominik Szoboszlai's contract renewal as among the most significant developments since he took charge, adding that the Hungarian midfielder has reported for pre-season in strong shape and is already influencing younger players through his work ethic in training.
"I think this is one of the probably greatest news since I arrived, his commitment to this club, his contract renewal," Iraola said. "Definitely he has to be one of our leaders looking forward."
On the question of a vice-captain to succeed departed senior players, Iraola said a decision would wait until he has met the full squad in person. He cautioned against over-emphasising the armband, arguing that leadership should not be reduced to a single designation.
"You don't need to wear an armband to be a leader, to be a captain," he said. "We need a lot of captains in the pitch, we need as many as we can."
Liverpool are scheduled to play five pre-season friendlies before the 2026-27 season begins.