By Dorcas Francis Koji
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has expressed satisfaction with the club’s summer transfer business, insisting that his attention is now firmly on getting the best out of the squad at his disposal.
The Reds made several major additions during the transfer window, with the headline signing being Bradley Barcola, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in a reported £123m deal.
The French winger is expected to be available when Liverpool travel to face Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Friday.
Despite the club deciding against signing another right-back or a replacement for Curtis Jones in midfield, Iraola has defended Liverpool’s transfer strategy and believes he has enough quality within the squad.
“Do I want more signings? In the end, the club has decided those signings we have done are the ones that will improve our team, improve the positions,” Iraola said.
“There were other options that we decided not to take for different reasons, sometimes sporting or economical. It didn’t make sense in the market for those moves.
“But I’m happy now. I have a lot of quality in the team. Now it is the moment for me and the players to develop what we have.”
Liverpool also completed the signing of centre-back Jeremy Jacquet for £60m, although that deal had been agreed in January.
Under Iraola, the club also brought in winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5m and secured Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona.
The Reds chose not to directly replace Curtis Jones after the midfielder completed a £30m move to Inter Milan, despite making 49 appearances for Liverpool last season.
Iraola, however, believes his midfield options are sufficient to cope with the demands of the campaign.
“In midfield we have good numbers,” he said.
“Now it’s a matter of getting the right calls from myself. I’m finding now the best combinations and we are going through a period now where we will play a lot of games and we’ll have a chance to see the options we have and the combinations we have.
“It’s a matter of coaching.”
The Liverpool boss was also pleased to retain Netherlands international Cody Gakpo after Manchester City reportedly made an £80m approach for the forward.
“I’m glad to keep Cody Gakpo because he is a valuable player,” Iraola said.
Gakpo has already made an encouraging start to the new campaign, registering one goal and one assist in Liverpool’s opening two Premier League matches, although both games ended in draws.
With Barcola now set to strengthen Liverpool’s attacking options, Iraola will be hoping the club’s new-look squad can quickly turn those early stalemates into victories.
The Reds will now look to translate their summer investment into results as they continue their Premier League title campaign.
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