Liverpool are said to be targeting two or three additional signings before the transfer window closes.
According to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh sit at the top of the Reds’ wishlist, though Brighton have already knocked back a pair of offers for the Gambian winger.
The club’s opening-day stalemate with Newcastle at St James’ Park exposed just how much more work is needed in the squad. Andoni Iraola is expected to stick with Rio Ngumoha on the right flank given his fondness for wingers who can operate across multiple positions, but the young ex-Chelsea talent’s rocky start suggests Liverpool need a more natural right-sided option to take some weight off the 17-year-old as he settles into the role. Barcola, meanwhile, would bring a genuine touch of top-level class to the attack.
As for where a possible sixth arrival might fit, Iraola has downplayed the idea that Liverpool’s midfield issues stem purely from personnel gaps, and word from within the club is that a dedicated defensive midfielder isn’t seen as a priority right now — pointing away from midfield reinforcements this summer.
That points toward centre-forward as the more probable area of investment, with the Reds keen to refresh their attacking options following Mohamed Salah’s early departure. Once Hugo Ekitike is back from injury, this would give Liverpool a well-stocked front line: Cody Gakpo, Bradley Barcola, Alexander Isak, Ekitike, Ngumoha, Victor Munoz, Yankuba Minteh, and a possible third new forward.
Back in August, Newcastle’s sidelined striker Nick Woltemade was floated as a potential loan target, with the Magpies reportedly receptive to letting him leave temporarily. That kind of arrangement would suit Iraola’s setup well, since it would avoid the awkward task of splitting playing time between three out-and-out strikers. That storyline has cooled considerably in recent weeks, though, leaving it unclear exactly how Liverpool’s recruitment staff intend to handle the situation while Ekitike continues his recovery.
