Feared in attack, light at the back - why Liverpool's transfer window leaves questions

What the report says

Liverpool’s summer transfer business has prompted debate over whether the club has strengthened enough across the squad, even after spending more than £200m. BBC Sport Football reports that the Premier League side have added Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz, Ronald Araujo on loan and goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, while also having earlier confirmed Jeremy Jacquet’s move. The article says Liverpool’s net spend is just under £200m when the earlier deal is included.

The concern is not the attack, where the club believes Barcola joins Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak to form one of Europe’s most dangerous front lines, but the balance behind it. Liverpool have lost several senior players, including Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate on free transfers, while Curtis Jones has left for Inter Milan in a deal worth £30m. The club also rejected an £80m offer from Manchester City for Cody Gakpo after deciding it could not bring in a replacement.

BBC Sport Football says questions remain over defensive depth, especially at full-back and centre-back, and over the lack of a specialist defensive midfielder. Injuries to Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez have added pressure, though Liverpool have brought in Araujo as a short-term option. With the Champions League starting on 10 September and the fixture list becoming busier, the article suggests Liverpool’s title and European hopes may depend on how quickly the squad settles and how well it copes with injuries.