Liverpool squad depth assessed - where Andoni Iraola needs to strengthen in transfer market

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1 Alisson will stay to see out the final year of his contract, despite interest from Juventus.Giorgi Mamardashvili is a talented shot-stopper who proved his value at Valencia and for the Georgian national team, and he will need to show more of these credentials than he did last season if Alisson Becker picks up any further injuries, which sadly feels more inevitable every passing season.Freddie Woodman, a shrewd signing from Preston last summer, performed admirably when he was drafted in to cover for both Alisson and Mamardashvili in the latter part of last season, and is a more-than-capable third-choice in the Liverpool net.Vitezslav Jaros, meanwhile, will back himself to rise up the pecking order after a strong loan at Ajax was cruelly ended by a serious knee injury.The injury came at the worst time, seeing the Czech miss out on the World Cup and likely denying him the chance to make an impression on Iraola in pre-season, but the 24-year-old should provide valuable cover when he returns.Kornel Misciur will be expected to continue with the Under-21s, while Hungarian Armin Pecsi could get an opportunity on loan.Harvey Davies was recalled from a loan to Crawley Town midway through last season and it's possible he could look for a permanent move to kickstart his career, despite signing a new contract last summer and being involved in 18 matchday squads to date.With Alisson still set to depart next season, a new arrival as a long-term replacement is an outside possibility if Mamardashvili is unhappy with spending another season proving himself as back-up, but this looks unlikely.Priority rating: 1/5Right-backSenior options: Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, Jeremy JacquetYouth options: Calvin Ramsay, Isaac Mabaya, Lucas PittRight-back is an area that Liverpool are reportedly open to strengthening, despite a strong pair of first-choice options in Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.However, the availability of these two players proved to be an issue last season, with minor injuries affecting both before Bradley suffered a serious, season-ending knee injury against Arsenal.It is unclear as of yet when Bradley will return, leaving Joe Gomez as the only other proven senior option in the position - without resorting to playing midfielders in the role, as was seen for much of last season to the detriment of the rest of the team.Jeremy Jacquet has played right-back on occasion in his young career to date, but the Frenchman has been signed as a long-term solution in the centre of defence and will be looking to stake his claim to start alongside Virgil van Dijk on the opening day of the Premier League season.Looking at the youth ranks, Lucas Pitt has played right-back regularly for Liverpool U21s and has also featured on the other side of defence, but is yet to make a matchday squad for the senior team.Calvin Ramsay and Isaac Mabaya must now be registered as senior players if they are to play a role for Liverpool's first team in the coming season, which looks unlikely.Ramsay was overlooked when the Reds were short in the position last season and could be moved on. The Reds went through the majority of last season with just three options in the centre of defence in van Dijk, Konate and Gomez after the ACL injury to Giovanni Leoni and questions remain over the depth in this position.Leoni, who impressed in his one appearance to date against Southampton in the League Cup, has returned from injury and will play a role in pre-season preparations with a view to staking his claim alongside new arrival Jacquet.Gomez is a versatile option who can be relied on to fill in effectively when fit, but his availability remains patchy.

Noah Adekoya joined from Burnley in January but was dropped from the U21s starting line-up in March, and unlike Ndiaye he is yet to make a matchday squad.Amara Nallo and the new signing Ifeanyi Ndukwe are expected to be offered the opportunity to gain a season of senior experience out on loan.Priority rating: 4/5Left-backSenior options: Milos Kerkez, Kostas Tsimikas, Joe GomezYouth options: Calum Scanlon, Clae Ewing, Luke Chambers, Owen BeckLong-serving left-back Andy Robertson departed for Spurs on the expiry of his contract this summer, leaving Milos Kerkez as the uncontested first choice in the position.He is due to be supported by returning Roma loanee Kostas Tsimikas, with Joe Gomez also able to fill in the position where he first impressed for Liverpool upon signing from Charlton at the age of 18.Calum Scanlon is still available as an U21/UEFA List B option as he won't turn 22 until February next year, which can't be said for Luke Chambers and Owen Beck.Chambers is expected to go out on loan again having featured regularly for Charlton in the second half of last season, while Beck has struggled with his fitness on consecutive loans at Blackburn and Derby.Clae Ewing is the next in line from the academy, having featured regularly in the Premier League 2 last season.A new arrival could be worthwhile if the player can offer more serious competition than Tsimikas, but Liverpool may choose to avoid further upheaval if they can help it.Priority rating: 2/5Defensive midfieldSenior options: Wataru Endo, Trey Nyoni, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, James McConnell, Curtis JonesYouth options: Ben Trueman, Michael Laffey, Stefan BajceticA specialist senior No.6 in the right age bracket is something Liverpool sorely lacks. 6 as well - should be pretty high up Liverpool's list of priorities for the summer.There is unlikely to be much movement, however, until the futures of Mac Allister and Jones are decided.Priority rating: 4/5Attacking midfieldSenior options: Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott, Curtis JonesLiverpool spent big on Florian Wirtz last season to build the team around him at No.10, but the German international spent a fair amount of time in a wide playmaker role, too, as he struggled to show the full range of his talents.If the Reds persist with a single, central attacking midfielder, Wirtz and Szoboszlai are well-suited to the role, while Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones are also options there.Elliott is among the players with the most to gain from pre-season, having suffered through a disastrous loan move to Aston Villa last season, playing little football with no hope of a recall.Now that he is back on Merseyside, Elliott could look to force his way into Iraola's plans for next season or otherwise impress enough to secure a permanent move somewhere where he can finally be a regular starter.Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak also possess some of the tools to be effective behind the front line, but the pair will be needed further forward as Liverpool are already light in attacking areas.Between Wirtz and marathon man Szoboszlai, though, Liverpool are unlikely to find themselves short in this department and are more likely to adapt their approach than turn to an option lower down the pecking order.Priority rating: 0/5WingerSenior options: Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, Victor Munoz, Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott, Florian WirtzYouth options: Joe Bradshaw, Lewis Koumas, Kieran Morrison, Kaide GordonOn the flanks is where Liverpool arguably struggled the most last season, with an ageing Salah and an out-of-form Gakpo too often unable to influence games.The Reds have begun to address that with the signing of Munoz, but look set to miss out on top target Yan Diomande to PSG and could face a battle with Arsenal for the signature of Bradley Barcola should PSG be prepared to listen to offers for the French winger.All the same, the public targeting of such players indicates that Liverpool recognise that strengthening here is essential given the only other remaining recognised options from last season are Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa.Ngumoha could have the world at his feet, but he is yet to add the consistent end product required of a starter and at 17, should not be overly relied upon.Gakpo is attracting interest from Tottenham and Liverpool haven't indicated his departure is completely out of the question, while speculation continues over Chiesa - who was targeted by Italian teams in January and last summer.Elliott can play on the right but lacks the electric pace required to be a regular starter, and Wirtz is a very different profile of player to the touchline-hugging winger Iraola prefers.Lewis Koumas impressed on loan at Hull City in the second half of last season - helping the Tigers to win the Championship play-offs - and has one more season before he needs to be registered as a senior player, but he could look for a permanent move now having had a taste of regular football.The promising Kieran Morrison could be considered for a loan, leaving Joe Bradshaw as an U21 option.

Kaide Gordon is now an overage player in the academy and will surely look for an exit to kickstart his career.Priority rating: 5/5StrikerSenior options: Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Victor Munoz, Cody Gakpo, Federico ChiesaYouth options: Jayden Danns, Keyrol Figueroa, Will Wright, Lewis KoumasIsak is the undisputed first-choice up front for Liverpool next season after his record move last summer, and will hope to put a difficult season behind him after featuring regularly for Sweden at the World Cup.Isak simply must kick on in the absence of Hugo Ekitike, who was a bright spark for the Reds before his serious Achilles injury - leaving doubts over how simple his reintegration will be upon his return.Gakpo has been an unwilling option up front for both Klopp and Slot and could be asked to fill a similar role under the new manager, but Chiesa and Munoz are further options in the position should Gakpo move on or Iraola choose to keep him in his preferred position on the left.It could be a big season for Jayden Danns, who has already scored three goals for Liverpool's senior team. If he can put fitness troubles behind him to prove himself in pre-season, Danns could be a valuable squad player and regular substitute, as well as targeting further starts in cup matches.Koumas is seen as an option at No 9 for Wales and could also be considered as a reserve option there for Liverpool if he remains, while Keyrol Figueroa and Will Wright have looked extremely promising with the U-21s.Strengthening with another option up front would cover for Ekitike's absence and take some of the pressure off Isak, but a golden opportunity for Liverpool's young strikers awaits in pre-season if the Reds choose to leave the pathway open for Ekitike when he eventually returns.While it may seem unwise to head into the season with just one recognised No.9 in the squad who is fit, this is a make-or-break season for Isak either way and he should be backed to find his form once again.Priority rating: 2/5