Iraola Backs Liverpool Summer Business as £123m Barcola Prepares for Debut

Iraola Backs Liverpool Summer Business as £123m Barcola Prepares for Debut

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola says he is "very happy" with the club's summer transfer business and believes the responsibility now falls on him to develop his squad and deliver results.

Liverpool made four major additions during the summer, headlined by the £123m signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.

The France winger is available to make his debut when Liverpool travel to face Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Friday, as Iraola searches for his first victory since taking charge.

Iraola Satisfied With Liverpool Squad

Despite their significant spending, Liverpool opted against adding another right-back or central midfielder before the transfer window closed.

Iraola defended that decision, insisting the club carefully considered its options before deciding against further deals.

"There were other options that we decided not to take for different reasons, sometimes sporting or economical," Iraola said. "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's summer recruitment also included Jeremy Jacquet, whose £60m move had been agreed in January.

Since Iraola's arrival, the Reds have signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5m and brought in Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona.

Liverpool Back Existing Midfield Options

Liverpool decided not to replace Curtis Jones after the midfielder completed a £30m move to Inter Milan.

Jones made 49 appearances for the Reds last season, but Iraola believes he still has sufficient options in the centre of the pitch.

Liverpool's senior midfield choices include Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo, while highly-rated youngster Trey Nyoni provides another option.

"In midfield we have good numbers," Iraola said.

With Liverpool approaching a busy run of fixtures, the Spaniard believes the challenge is now to identify his strongest combinations and make the right selection decisions.

"It's a matter of coaching," he added.

Iraola Pleased Liverpool Kept Gakpo

Iraola also welcomed Liverpool's decision to retain Cody Gakpo after the club rejected an £80m offer from Manchester City for the Netherlands international.

The Liverpool boss described Gakpo as a "valuable player", and the forward has already contributed one goal and one assist in the club's opening two Premier League matches.

Both games, however, ended in draws.

Pressure on Iraola to Turn Investment Into Results

Iraola is still searching for his first victory as Liverpool manager following 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.

There was little sign of panic from the Spaniard after the transfer window closed, with Iraola saying he feels "much more comfortable" now that his squad has been finalised.

Liverpool were attracted to Iraola partly because of his track record of developing players, and that ability will now be tested at Anfield.

The Reds have lacked quality depth during their opening two matches, although injuries have limited Iraola's options. His satisfaction with the summer recruitment also suggests there is confidence within the club over the business completed during the window.

Including the previously agreed Jacquet transfer, Liverpool recorded the highest net spend of any Premier League club this summer.

That investment brings expectations, and Iraola is under no illusions about what is required.

"I want to win. I need to win," he said.

It remains early in his Liverpool tenure, but a first Premier League victory against Ipswich would ease the pressure and provide Iraola with an important platform as he looks to shape his new-look squad.

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Written by

Gordon

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