Iraola’s dream Liverpool XI next season with £246m spent on new signings

It’s all gone a bit quiet for Liverpool on the transfer front, but when Andoni Iraola sat down to conduct his first press conference as Anfield’s new first-team coach, he urged patience.

FSG are on the case, actively working behind the scenes to bring players to a squad that fell into disrepair last season, so poor in their efforts to retain the Premier League title they won the year before.

Arne Slot has been dismissed, and Liverpool believe they have found the perfect replacement in Iraola, Bournemouth’s rip-roaring manager of the past three years, taking the Cherries on a wild ride that culminated in a ticket into the Europa League.

The Spaniard is one of the most exciting young coaches in the world, but he can only do so much with the options at his disposal – that is to say, Liverpool need to keep spending this summer, having already welcomed Jeremy Jacquet by signing him back in January, hijacking Newcastle United’s move for Osasuna winger Victor Munoz too.

Liverpool have established themselves as big spenders under FSG’s ownership, but there may be £246m still to fork out this summer.

11

GK – Alisson Becker

Despite rumours linking Alisson Becker with a move to Juventus, he will continue as Liverpool’s No. 1 next season, and will need to try and recover form, it must be said.

Liverpool finished 15th in regard to save percentage in the Premier League last season, with a 65.1% success rate.

10

RB – Conor Bradley

The timeframe on Conor Bradley‘s comeback from injury is indefinite, but if Liverpool can get him up to speed, Iraola will find that he has one of the finest all-action full-backs at his disposal.

It’s clear that Jeremie Frimpong will have to hold down the fort at the start of the campaign as Bradley continues to recuperate, but his return to fitness and form could be a difference-maker for Liverpool next season.

9

CB – Jeremy Jacquet

As already mentioned, Jacquet has joined Liverpool, a £60m deal agreed with Rennes back in January. It’s a good thing too, for Ibrahima Konate left at the end of his contract and has signed for Real Madrid.

The 21-year-old is raw and inexperienced, but also regarded as one of the most exciting centre-backs in the world.

8

CB – Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk is stepping into the final year of his long and illustrious Liverpool career. What a journey. What a captain he has been.

There’s still time for one last dance, though, and he will be hoping for a more successful send-off than his long-time dance partner Salah had to endure at the end of the 2025/26 season.

7

LB – Milos Kerkez

Milos Kerkez did not enjoy the finest maiden campaign on Merseyside, but his struggles were perhaps somewhat overblown, the Hungarian recovering after a poor start.

6

CM – Ryan Gravenberch

Last year, Ryan Gravenberch paled in comparison to his first term under Slot’s wing. Across 2024/25, he was crowned the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year, refashioned into a press-resistant number six after a peripheral first year with the Reds.

The 24-year-old signed a new contract in March, though, and remains one of the most talented midfielders in Europe. Let’s hope Iraola brings him back to his former form.

5

CM – Joao Gomes

Liverpool have been linked with a number of midfielders throughout the summer transfer window, but nothing concrete has yet emerged. That could change soon, with recent murmurings suggesting FSG have been in contact with Wolves star Joao Gomes.

A tenacious defender, expert dueller and tireless dog of a midfielder, Gomes could be available for just £38m after the Old Gold’s relegation.

4

CM – Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool’s superstar of last season, there isn’t much to say about Dominik Szoboszlai. He was front and centre of all that was good for the Redmen last year, and fans will expect a repeat of last year now that Iraola’s at the helm.

Hopefully, though, the Hungary captain is leading a far more fluent and coherent group of players.

3

RW – Yankuba Minteh

RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande was Liverpool’s top target to replace Mohamed Salah this summer, but the Ivorian has intimated that he fancies a one-way ticket to Paris Saint-Germain, should his employers let him move on.

Instead, Liverpool could target Yankuba Minteh, with recent reports claiming that the Reds are at the front of the queue for the talented Brighton attacker, who could leave for £80m this summer.

2

LW – Bradley Barcola

Liverpool might have missed out on Diomande, but they have pivoted to PSG’s Bradley Barcola as the marquee arrival of the transfer window. Previously hailed by journalist Robin Bairner as the “next [Kylian] Mbappe”, this would be a mighty fine addition to their armoury.

The caveat, of course, is that the French champions don’t want to sell, with Arsenal also in the race and, according to some, leading the Anfield side.

Still, the £128m Frenchman appears to be open to all options, and Liverpool could be getting ready to launch a concerted attack now that the transfer window is winding down.