Liverpool’s first summer under Andoni Iraola has produced a relatively small number of senior arrivals but a major change to the squad’s attacking and defensive options.
Bradley Barcola was the headline signing, arriving from Paris Saint-Germain for a deal worth up to £123m. Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz also joined permanently, while Ronald Araujo arrived on loan from Barcelona. Liverpool also invested in younger players, including goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans and forward Djylian N’Guessan.
As for departures, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all left the club, while Curtis Jones moved to Inter Milan and Stefan Bajcetic returned to Celta Vigo. Harvey Elliott was among a group of players sent out on loan.
Incomings
Bradley Barcola (£123m)
Barcola was Liverpool’s major signing of the window.
The France international arrived from PSG after helping the club win consecutive Champions League titles. The deal made him one of the most expensive players in Premier League history.
His arrival addresses the loss of Salah to an extent, although Barcola is primarily a left-sided forward rather than a direct replacement for the Egyptian on the right.
Liverpool spent much of the summer looking for additional attacking options after Salah’s departure. They also pursued Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and inquired about Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr, but could not complete either deal.
Jeremy Jacquet (£60m)
Jacquet was a long-planned signing, Liverpool having agreed the deal in January, months before his arrival.
The France Under-21 international strengthens the centre-back position after when Liverpool lost Konate as a free agent. His recruitment became even more important after the club decided against completing a permanent move for another senior defender.
Victor Munoz (£34.5m)
Munoz comes in as a reinforcement for the wings. The Spain international made 34 appearances for Osasuna in 2025-26, scoring seven goals and providing five assists. Liverpool confirmed his signing in June after he completed his medical while with Spain at the World Cup.
His ability to operate on either flank gives Liverpool some flexibility, although the squad remains short of a natural right-wing replacement for Salah.
Ronald Araujo (loan)
Araujo arrived on loan from Barcelona with an option to buy. The Uruguay international can play at centre-back and right-back, giving Iraola cover in two positions. His versatility is useful given the uncertainty at right-back.
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Lucca Brughmans (£30m)
Brughmans is a long-term investment. The young goalkeeper has been signed from Genk but will return to the Belgian club on loan for the season.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe (£2.6m)
Ndukwe was another developmental signing. Work-permit issues mean he has immediately moved to Levante on loan, allowing Liverpool to continue his development away from Anfield.
Djylian N’Guessan (£4.3m)
Liverpool also agreed a deal for N’Guessan, an 18-year-old forward. He is due to spend the coming season on loan with Brest before joining Liverpool in 2027.
Departures
Mohamed Salah to Trabzonspor (free)
Salah’s contract was terminated early by mutual agreement before he joined Trabzonspor. Liverpool therefore received no transfer fee but removed his wages from the squad.
The concern for Iraola is that Salah’s production and role cannot be replaced by one player. Barcola is an elite attacking option, but Liverpool will have to wring more out of each player to make up for the shortfall.
Andy Robertson to Tottenham (free)
Robertson left after his contract expired and Liverpool decided against offering him a new deal. His exit ends a long spell as the club’s first-choice left-back.
Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid (free)
Konate left when his contract expired. Liverpool had hoped to keep the France international, but the two sides could not agree new terms. The club considered his wage demands higher than they were willing to accept.
Curtis Jones to Inter Milan (£30m)
Jones leaves in search of regular playing time, despite the change of manager from Arne Slot to Iraola. His sale also leaves Liverpool with fewer established midfield options.
Stefan Bajcetic to Celta Vigo (£1m)
Bajcetic returned to Celta Vigo but Liverpool retained a sell-on clause.
Luca Stephenson to Bolton (£700,000)
Stephenson moved permanently to Bolton after two seasons spent developing on loan at Dundee. He had played primarily in midfield during his time in Scotland before making the permanent move to the Championship
Other departures
Harvey Elliott joined Valencia on loan. Other loan moves include Ifeanyi Ndukwe to Levante, Calvin Ramsay to St Mirren, Amara Nallo to HJK Helsinki and Keyrol Figueroa to Port Vale.
Kieran Morrison moved to Sheffield Wednesday, Calum Scanlon to Cardiff, Armin Pecsi to Hartberg, Kyle Kelly to Forest Green Rovers and Kornel Misciur to Leek Town.
Liverpool also released a number of academy players when their contracts expired, including Rhys Williams, James Balagizi, Oakley Cannonier and DJ Bernard.
What the window means for Liverpool
The main change is the face of the attack. Liverpool have lost Salah, one of the defining players of the last decade, and brought in Barcola and Munoz. In Barcola, Iraola has at least a high-level forward capable of carrying the ball and creating chances. Munoz provides another option across the wings.
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The issue is that Liverpool still do not have a natural replacement for Salah on the right. Barcola and Cody Gakpo are more comfortable from the left, while Munoz and Rio Ngumoha also prefer to operate there. Liverpool rejected an £80m offer from Manchester City for Gakpo on deadline day, leaving him at the club.
The defence saw Jacquet and Araujo arrive to give Iraola new options after the departures of Konate and Robertson. Araujo’s ability to cover right-back is useful, but Liverpool were unable to complete a late move for Chelsea’s Malo Gusto.
Midfield is another area that received less attention. Jones and Bajcetic have left and Liverpool did not complete the signing of a senior midfielder before the deadline.
Liverpool, however, still committed heavily despite making relatively few senior additions. Barcola alone cost up to £123m. His initial fee was £106m, with another £17m available in bonuses.
The size of the investment means expectations will be high, particularly with Iraola taking over after Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League last season.
