Leeds defeat shows the four signings Liverpool still need to make before transfer deadline day
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.
2-0 up became 4-2 down, and, suddenly, the holes in Andoni Iraola’s squad look much more glaring.Though the Basque still does not have his full team to call upon, there does not feel like enough firepower waiting back on Merseyside to right all of the wrongs this pre-season has shone a light on. What has been your main takeaway from Liverpool’s pre-season under Andoni Iraola?
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images Liverpool absolutely must act at centre-backThere was no hiding place for youngsters Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye as Leeds put their foot on the pedal in Chicago, with the two 18-year-olds unfortunately shown up for their lack of experience.The pair have done well out in America, with Ndukwe in particular catching the eye, but the Austrian can’t even play for Liverpool next season because of work permit issues, while Ndiaye looks like he needs a season with the U21s.Joe Gomez, Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are all unavailable, leaving Virgil van Dijk as Iraola’s sole senior centre-back option.The Dutchman must be as frustrated as anyone by the club’s refusal to enter the market for a central defender, but there can no longer be any excuses. That cannot be allowed to happen, Liverpool must solve this.Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Liverpool’s player ratings vs Leeds as Reds end US tour in concerning fashionRight-back does not look secure at allAnother issue on Sunday was the right-back position, which Liverpool fans have been desperate to see strengthened all summer long.Jeremie Frimpong actually did fairly well, but the Dutchman asked to be substituted in the second-half, which highlighted how fragile his fitness has been over the past year.Calvin Ramsay has been the back-up option in the US, and though the Scotsman has done okay, he did not do enough to stop Leeds’ advances during the second-half in Chicago, contributing to three of their four goals.Ramsay can play some kind of role, perhaps, but Liverpool cannot be in a situation where Frimpong is injured and they are relying on him to start multiple games in a row.
Pick Liverpool’s new front three with Bradley Barcola in it 👇 Who joins the Frenchman in Andoni Iraola's best attack? Nevertheless, if it is only the Frenchman, that will do, as long as Liverpool help themselves in the other areas.Without any one of these four signings, Liverpool’s squad will feel depleted heading into the new season.