Liverpool FC’s new head coach Andoni Iraola stood in front of cameras on July 13 and said what everyone already knew: this squad has holes. Big ones.

Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot on June 4, has already overseen two signings, defender Jérémy Jacquet and forward Víctor Muñoz. But with Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konaté all gone, two new faces in the door barely covers the talent walking out of it. The coach specifically flagged needs at right-back, center-back, and winger as positions requiring immediate attention.

The Iraola approach and what it signals

Iraola’s candor is notable. By publicly naming specific positions, right-back, experienced center-back depth, and a winger to help fill the void left by Salah, he’s doing two things simultaneously. First, he’s managing fan expectations. Second, he’s applying pressure on the club’s recruitment operation to accelerate deals before the season begins.

The two signings Liverpool has made so far suggest a pragmatic, if incomplete, strategy. Jacquet addresses part of the defensive gap, and Muñoz provides an attacking option. But Iraola’s comments make clear these are starting moves, not the finished product.