Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has defended the club's summer transfer business, insisting the priority was signing the best available players rather than filling every specific positional gap. Liverpool recorded the Premier League's highest net spend but ended the window without a new right back, defensive midfielder or specialist right-winger, prompting scrutiny of the approach; Iraola said some targets were rejected for sporting reasons and others for economic ones, and expressed confidence in the squad he now has.

Signings included Bradley Barcola for a potential £123m, joining Alexander Isak (£125m) and Florian Wirtz (£116m) in attack, with Barcola possibly making his Liverpool debut at Ipswich on Friday. Despite exploring moves for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace's Ismaïla Sarr, Liverpool did not sign a dedicated right-winger, but Iraola believes Barcola, Victor Muñoz, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha can all cover the flank, noting most are comfortable on either side.