To say Liverpool’s transfer window fizzled out would be a bit of an understatement.
The Reds started the summer strong. They bid for Yan Diomande, gazumped Newcastle United for Victor Munoz and set their sights on Bradley Barcola. Failure to land Diomande seemed to dent their summer plans but they eventually pivoted, agreeing personal terms with Ibrahim Mbaye while putting in offers for Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr.
Cody Gakpo was also the subject of a £75million bid from Manchester City and it was all geared towards a busy deadline day.
In the end, however, only Barcola was added to the Liverpool ranks. The Reds rejected Man City’s offer for Gakpo and failed to follow up interest in Mbaye, Minteh and Sarr. You have to assume this isn’t what Andoni Iraoli had pictured when stating Liverpool would “definitely” sign some players. He even went as far to say that fans should reserve judgement until the end of the transfer window.
While there are concerns over various areas of the team, Liverpool’s attack will likely make or break the campaign. At the top of the table, one goal is worth one point more often than not. Liverpool claimed 60 points with 63 goals last season. The season prior, they won the league with 84 points thanks to 86 goals. Jurgen Klopp’s final season saw Liverpool score 86 goals and amass 82 points. The science isn’t exact but it isn’t a bold theory to claim goals equate to points.
With that in mind, what should Liverpool be targeting this year? A top four push or a title challenge? It’ll hinge on their attack.
Liverpool’s attacking importance
Square pegs in round holes
Iraola caught a lot of people off guard against Nottingham Forest by using Gakpo on the right side of the attack
At a glance, it was confirmation that the Dutchman was off. Why use him on the left when you could give someone who would be here for the long-term a chance in his natural position?
And given Liverpool went into the final few days of the window looking for a right-winger, it made sense to sacrifice the player who was set to depart.
Yet the decision proved to be an inspired one from Iraola. Gakpo looked good on the right side. It removed his ability to cut inside and fire low value efforts towards goal. It made the most of his delivery and he combined well with Florian Wirtz for the first equaliser, teeing up Alexander Isak.
With the Reds unable to bring in a right-winger, Iraola may have stumbled upon a solution. All of a sudden, a front four made up of Barcola, Wirtz, Isak and Gakpo doesn’t look that bad, does it? There’s a balance to it and it gets as many senior threats into the forward line as possible.
Liverpool’s Paul Pogba problem
For years, Manchester United tried and failed to unlock Pogba. Rivals mocked the Red Devils for having to jump through so many hoops attempting to get the best out of a £90m signing.
Liverpool find themselves in that position now with Iraola trying his best to get the best out of Isak and Wirtz. The pair cost a combined £225m and have, so far at least, struggled to live up to the price tag.
Isak disappointed against Forest but was in the right place at the right time to tap home a Gakpo cross. It was a glimpse of what could be. It was a glimpse of what might be if Iraola gets it right. If he’s able to come up with a way to service the former Newcastle man, Liverpool have the goals to mount a top four challenge.
What does Bradley Barcola change?
Why did Liverpool sign yet another left-winger? Well, simple really, Barcola is one of the best around and he immediately improves the starting XI.
Liverpool need threat in their attack to be successful. Gakpo cuts inside from the left. Everyone knows it. Rio Ngumoha is raw while Munoz looks better on the right so far. The Reds have a lot of options for the left flank but none of them can do what Barcola does.
He becomes the secondary goal threat for Iraola. He eases the burden on Isak while simultaneously making life easier for the Sweden international. Before Barcola’s arrival, a top four push was contingent on luck. Now, though, Liverpool will feel confident that there’s enough quality in the final third to score the goals needed for 65+ points.