Spanish media: Liverpool spent €780 million across three windows but failed to sign a specialist defensive midfielder

Spanish media outlet El País stated that Iraola is working hard to rely more on Argentine midfielders and Uruguayan defenders to stabilize the team because they have conceded too many goals. Liverpool spent €780 million across three windows but did not sign a proper defensive midfielder.

Liverpool have spent €780 million in the past three transfer windows, yet they still have not signed a specialist defensive midfielder. Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch all began as attacking midfielders and have never been developed into midfielders specialized in protecting the center-backs. With no more suitable player in the squad, the three will face another season of both physical and mental pressure, which goes against their instincts.

They cannot always withstand this pressure. Last season, the pressure they faced contributed to the team conceding 54 goals. This not only damaged former manager Arne Slot's reputation but also led to Liverpool conceding four goals in the first two rounds of the new Premier League season. New head coach Andoni Iraola is working to find solutions and keep the team stable. On Wednesday, the team will host Atletico Madrid in their first Champions League match.

“I am very satisfied with all the signings,” Iraola said last week. Previously, sporting director Richard Hughes decided to spend €125 million on Bradley Barcola, who will replace Salah as the team's main attacking threat from the wing. The club also signed former Osasuna winger Victor Munoz for €40 million, center-back Jeremy Jacquet for €63 million, and goalkeeper Luca Bergmans for €33 million. “Do I think we need to strengthen other positions?” Iraola asked himself when discussing these signings. “The club believes these players we signed can improve the team overall. Now it is time for us to make the most of our existing strengths.”

Iraola's tone was quite formal, and given that Hughes was the driving force behind the deal, this formality may have been even stronger. Like the Basque coach, the technical secretary also came from Bournemouth, though he arrived two years earlier. Hughes brought Iraola from Rayo Vallecano to Bournemouth in 2023, but their reunion may not last long. A few months ago, Hughes announced that he was negotiating a transfer move with Saudi club Al Hilal. He had previously strongly recommended Iraola for Bournemouth, but now he threatens to leave him behind.

When asked about Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch, head coach Iraola defended them. The three midfielders are often beaten by opponents in duels or counterattacks and sometimes lose their positions. They have been considered responsible for the four goals Liverpool conceded against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest in the first two league rounds. “We have plenty of midfielders,” Iraola said. “The key is whether I can make the right decisions. We need to learn how to get the best out of these players. We are entering a period with a congested schedule, and we will have opportunities to find the best combination. This needs to be tested through training and making the right decisions.”

Iraola pointed out an issue Liverpool's analysts had noticed since last season: midfielders losing concentration created dangerous situations for an overworked defense. Iraola did not complain about conceding goals, but said the problem was a lack of aggression, which prevented the team from taking the lead. “I want us to focus on scoring goals first, because after taking the lead, everything becomes better and easier,” he said.

In Friday's away match against Ipswich, they fulfilled their wish through two efficient goals. In attack, the Premier League's most expensive signing in history, Isak (€145 million valuation in 2025), scored twice within four minutes to end the goal drought affecting both himself and the dressing room. At home, Ronald Araujo was deployed at right-back, forming a third center-back line with Jacquet and Van Dijk, which played a crucial role in strengthening the defense after the team took the lead. Captain Van Dijk recognized the imbalance in Liverpool's midfield and became Araujo's strongest supporter.

“I needed this victory,” Iraola admitted after Ipswich lost 0-2 to Liverpool. From Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group's offices to the press room, the general view is that the Basque manager is a coach who needs time to adapt. He needs time to refine his coaching methods. As he said himself, he needs to “learn.” Before leading Bournemouth to their first victory on October 28, 2014, he experienced six defeats and three draws. The start was very difficult. Before that, however, the situation had become so critical that club owner American Bill Foley had even considered dismissing him.

Iraola is accustomed to the slower pace of smaller clubs. Martin Presa waited for him at Rayo Vallecano, just as Foley waited for him at Bournemouth. They almost waited long enough. But now time is running out. John Henry, Mike Gordon, Amit Bhatia and Jeff Bezos are in charge of Liverpool, one of England's most successful clubs in European competition. Liverpool are a giant club, and their owners want immediate results to prove that their biggest-ever investment in football is worthwhile. Iraola must deliver results. But he currently lacks a defensive midfielder.