Liverpool are still not complete. At least that is the view of Andoni Iraola, who wants to take advantage of the final days of the transfer window to add more options to a squad that will be expected to compete for trophies both in England and Europe.

The Spanish coach has been clear with the club’s hierarchy: he needs greater depth, especially in wide areas. The arrivals of Jeremy Jacquet, Víctor Muñoz and Ronald Araújo have strengthened different positions, but the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté have brought significant changes to the structure of the team.

On top of that, Curtis Jones has now left the club after being unveiled as a new Inter Milan player. The Englishman was an important option because of his ability to operate in different midfield positions, and his departure further reduces Iraola’s available alternatives.

The coach wants solutions.

And with the transfer window approaching its deadline, time is beginning to work against Liverpool.

Minteh Emerges as an Option for Liverpool

One of the priorities is strengthening the wings.

Yankuba Minteh is one of the options attracting interest at Anfield. According to reports, Liverpool have already submitted an offer worth around £50 million for the Brighton player, but it was rejected.

Iraola avoided discussing specific names in order not to publicly comment on players contracted to other clubs, although he did acknowledge that there is a clear need in those positions.

Ideally, the Spaniard wants two top-level alternatives for every position. It is a difficult demand to meet, but an understandable one considering the schedule ahead.

“As a manager, it’s an easy one for me. I wanted the players from the first day on July 13,” Iraola explained ahead of the Premier League opener against Newcastle United.

He also acknowledged that the reality of the transfer market forces coaches to work differently.

Competition begins while squads can still change, and Liverpool will have to adapt until the window finally closes.

Liverpool Need a Squad Capable of Competing on Every Front

The problem is not simply about finding starters.

Iraola needs depth.

Liverpool face a season in which they will be expected to compete in the Premier League, domestic cup competitions and Europe. To remain alive on every front, squad rotation will be unavoidable.

That is a major part of the coach’s concern.

The season is too long to rely on the same players every week, and an accumulation of injuries could leave the team with very few solutions in certain positions.

Iraola knows the demands of the Premier League perfectly well after his spell with Bournemouth, but the pressure will now be completely different. At Anfield, he will not simply be expected to compete every weekend: he needs to win.

After the moves made during the summer, the next step is to build a squad deep enough to do exactly that.

Curtis Jones’ Departure Leaves Another Gap

The departure of Curtis Jones also forces Liverpool to reorganize their options.

The midfielder left the club after spending practically his entire footballing life with Liverpool to begin a new chapter at Inter Milan. His transfer generated a significant fee for the Reds, but from a sporting perspective, it removes an option that Iraola valued.

The coach himself acknowledged that he spoke with Jones during his first few training sessions and understood the player’s position.

Now Liverpool have to replace what he provided.

That does not necessarily mean finding another player with identical characteristics, but it does mean increasing the options available within a squad that has already lost several important names this summer.

The Final Days of the Transfer Window Will Be Crucial

Iraola has also made no secret of his discomfort with this stage of the transfer window.

The coach admitted that he does not enjoy the final days of negotiations because of all the uncertainty they create. Players can arrive, others can leave, and potential deals can change completely in a matter of hours.

But that is precisely the situation Liverpool currently face.

Minteh remains a possibility to strengthen the wings, while the club’s hierarchy will have to stay alert for any other opportunity that could improve the squad.

Iraola has already made clear what he needs.

He wants competition in practically every position and enough players to rotate without the overall level of the team dropping significantly.

Liverpool have already been active in the transfer market, but their new manager believes there is still work to be done.

Because the objective is not simply to have a strong starting XI.

Andoni Iraola’s plan is to build a Liverpool squad with enough weapons to compete in England and Europe and, above all, get back to winning trophies.

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