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Liverpool’s summer rebuild has already been one of the busiest and most unpredictable in recent memory, but the coming weeks could define the club’s entire 2026/27 campaign. With the transfer window set to close on September 1, Andoni Iraola faces several important decisions that could shape his first season at Anfield.
While Liverpool continue to be linked with new signings, recent reports have focused just as heavily on potential departures. Cody Gakpo has emerged as a reported target for Tottenham Hotspur, while Curtis Jones is attracting strong interest from Inter Milan.
Both players have experienced inconsistent seasons for different reasons. Gakpo has struggled to establish himself as an undisputed starter, while Jones has found regular playing time increasingly difficult to secure. Nevertheless, allowing both to leave before suitable replacements arrive could create significant problems for Liverpool’s squad depth.
Here’s why selling Gakpo and Jones before the transfer window closes could become a major gamble for Iraola.
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Manager | Andoni Iraola |
| Transfer Window Closes | September 1 |
| Player Linked Away | Cody Gakpo |
| Interested Club | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Player Linked Away | Curtis Jones |
| Interested Club | Inter Milan |
| Main Concern | Squad depth before the Premier League season |
Liverpool Still Need Reinforcements
Liverpool have already undergone major changes during the summer.
Several experienced figures have departed, forcing the club into another period of transition despite appointing a new manager.
Among the most significant exits are:
- Mohamed Salah
- Ibrahima Konaté
- Andrew Robertson
Each departure has created fresh questions about Liverpool’s ability to compete for the Premier League title.
While Robertson’s position appears relatively secure following the arrival of Milos Kerkez and the return of Kostas Tsimikas, other areas of the squad remain far less settled.
The defensive unit, in particular, continues to raise concerns heading into the new campaign.
Defensive Depth Remains a Major Concern
Replacing Ibrahima Konaté has proven far more complicated.
Liverpool brought in highly rated youngster Jeremy Jacquet, but the 21-year-old is still recovering his fitness and lacks extensive top-level experience.
Another promising defender, Giovanni Leoni, is also returning from injury.
Although both players possess enormous potential, expecting either to immediately replace Konaté’s leadership and consistency would place significant pressure on two developing defenders.
Compounding Liverpool’s problems, veteran Joe Gomez suffered an injury during pre-season and is expected to miss at least the opening month of the campaign.
That leaves Virgil van Dijk as the only fully fit senior centre-back available.
With Conor Bradley also working his way back from injury, Liverpool may still require another defender capable of covering both centre-back and right-back before the transfer window closes.
Liverpool Must Avoid Creating New Problems
Liverpool’s summer recruitment has already focused heavily on replacing key departures, but allowing additional first-team players to leave without immediate replacements could create even bigger issues.
The club may already need to strengthen several positions before the transfer window closes.
Potential priorities include:
- A senior centre-back
- A versatile right-back
- A right winger capable of replacing Mohamed Salah’s production
- Midfield depth
- Additional attacking cover
If Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones also depart, Liverpool’s recruitment team would suddenly face the challenge of filling two more important squad roles with very little time remaining in the transfer window.
Finding quality replacements during the final weeks of the market is rarely straightforward.
Clubs often demand higher transfer fees, available options become limited, and integrating new signings before the Premier League season begins becomes increasingly difficult.
Curtis Jones: A Difficult Decision
Curtis Jones enters the final year of his Liverpool contract.
With regular first-team football becoming increasingly important for his career, interest from Inter Milan is understandable.
From Liverpool’s perspective, selling Jones this summer would avoid the possibility of losing him for free next year.
However, replacing him may prove far more complicated.
Jones offers several qualities that remain valuable to Iraola’s squad:
- Tactical versatility
- Premier League experience
- Homegrown status
- Ball retention
- Ability to play multiple midfield roles
Young midfielder Trey Nyoni continues to impress, but expecting the 19-year-old to immediately replace Jones throughout a demanding Premier League campaign would place enormous pressure on one of Liverpool’s brightest academy prospects.
Jones’ pre-season has been mixed.
His performances have not fully convinced supporters, while an argument involving Dominik Szoboszlai and Kostas Tsimikas during Liverpool’s victory over Wrexham generated widespread discussion among fans.
Even so, one difficult pre-season should not completely overshadow the qualities he has demonstrated over several seasons at Anfield.
If Liverpool do decide to sell him, securing an experienced replacement should become an immediate priority.
Cody Gakpo Still Offers Valuable Depth
Cody Gakpo has often divided opinion since arriving at Liverpool.
Some supporters believe he struggles to consistently influence matches when given greater attacking responsibility.
However, his overall contribution remains respectable.
Across 180 appearances (127 starts), Gakpo has produced:
- 50 goals
- 21 assists
Those numbers underline his value as an effective squad player capable of contributing across multiple competitions.
While he may not always be the first name on the team sheet, few clubs can afford to lose experienced attacking depth without bringing in proven replacements.
If Tottenham succeed in signing Gakpo before Liverpool complete another attacking signing, Iraola’s options would become significantly thinner.
Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola has been heavily linked with Liverpool, but no deal has yet been completed.
Until another attacker officially arrives, selling Gakpo would leave unnecessary uncertainty within Liverpool’s forward line.
Why Timing Could Define Liverpool’s Season
Selling players is a natural part of every transfer window, but timing is often just as important as the transfer itself.
Liverpool have less than a month before the window closes, leaving little room for mistakes if multiple first-team players depart.
The challenge isn’t simply replacing Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones. It is finding players who can immediately adapt to Andoni Iraola’s tactical system while maintaining Liverpool’s ambitions in the Premier League, domestic cups, and European competition.
Late-window transfers frequently carry additional risks:
- Higher transfer fees
- Limited availability of quality players
- Less time for new signings to adapt
- Reduced pre-season preparation
- Greater pressure on young academy players
For a manager entering his first season at Anfield, stability may prove more valuable than another dramatic overhaul.
Squad Depth Wins Titles
Recent Premier League history has repeatedly shown that successful teams rely on more than just their strongest starting XI.
Long campaigns demand quality throughout the squad because injuries, suspensions, fixture congestion, and international commitments regularly test even the deepest teams.
Players such as Gakpo and Jones may not start every match, but both provide valuable flexibility.
Cody Gakpo
- Can play across the front three
- Proven Premier League experience
- Reliable goal contribution
- Strong rotation option
- Experience in European competition
Curtis Jones
- Homegrown player
- Comfortable in multiple midfield roles
- Technically secure under pressure
- Understands Liverpool’s system and expectations
- Valuable squad option during busy schedules
Replacing players with these qualities is rarely as simple as signing another footballer.
Experience, versatility, and familiarity with the club often become increasingly important over a long season.
Should Liverpool Cash In?
There are reasonable arguments on both sides.
Reasons to Sell
- Jones is entering the final year of his contract.
- Both players could generate significant transfer income.
- Sales would help finance further recruitment.
- New signings may better suit Iraola’s tactical vision.
Reasons to Keep
- Liverpool already need reinforcements in several positions.
- Quality replacements may be difficult to secure late in the window.
- Squad depth is essential across multiple competitions.
- Both players remain valuable rotation options with proven Premier League experience.
Ultimately, Liverpool’s decision should depend less on the transfer fees being offered and more on whether suitable replacements are already lined up.
Key Takeaways
- Liverpool remain short in several key positions despite an active summer transfer window.
- Defensive depth is a significant concern following departures and injuries.
- Curtis Jones’ contract situation makes a sale understandable, but replacing him would not be straightforward.
- Cody Gakpo continues to provide useful attacking depth despite inconsistent performances.
- Selling both players before securing replacements could weaken Liverpool’s squad ahead of the 2026/27 season.
- The final weeks of the transfer window will be crucial in determining whether Andoni Iraola begins his Liverpool reign with a balanced squad capable of competing across multiple competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is Cody Gakpo linked with a move away?
Recent reports have linked Gakpo with Tottenham Hotspur, although Liverpool have not yet secured another senior attacking replacement.
Why could Curtis Jones leave Liverpool?
Jones is entering the final year of his contract, and reported interest from Inter Milan could encourage Liverpool to sell now rather than risk losing him on a free transfer.
Which areas still need strengthening?
Based on the source article, Liverpool could still benefit from adding a senior centre-back, defensive cover, midfield depth, and another attacking player before the transfer window closes.
Is selling both players a risk?
According to the source article, yes. Losing both Gakpo and Jones without immediate replacements could reduce squad depth at a time when Liverpool are already rebuilding under a new manager.
What is Liverpool’s biggest challenge before the transfer deadline?
The source argues that balancing outgoing transfers with timely replacements will be essential if Liverpool are to compete for the Premier League title and other major trophies during the 2026/27 season.
Final Thoughts
Liverpool’s summer rebuild is about more than replacing departing stars. It is about constructing a balanced squad capable of competing across every competition under a new manager. While selling Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones could make financial sense in certain circumstances, allowing both to leave without experienced replacements would create additional uncertainty at a critical stage of the transfer window.
Andoni Iraola’s first months at Anfield are likely to shape the direction of Liverpool’s next era. Maintaining squad depth, managing injuries, and integrating new signings will all be vital if the Reds are to challenge at the top of English football once again. The coming weeks could therefore prove just as important as any match played during the season itself.
