Liverpool got a big help to fix a problem spot after a quiet Deadline Day.
Liverpool fans can finally breathe a bit easier about their defense, thanks to Andoni Iraola’s recent press conference. The 2026/27 summer transfer window was a wild ride for the club as they prepared for a new season without some key players. After parting ways with former manager Arne Slot and bringing in Iraola, Liverpool also lost stars like Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andrew Robertson for free.
Many fans were worried when the right-back spot wasn’t strengthened. First-choice Conor Bradley is sidelined with a long-term injury, and Jeremie Frimpong hasn’t been playing well lately, leaving the defense on the right side a bit weak.
But there’s some good news now! Iraola said that veteran defender Joe Gomez will start training next week and could be back sooner than expected. Although Gomez usually plays center-back, he has filled in at right-back before. This could help take some pressure off Frimpong or even earn Gomez a spot in the starting lineup.
This also means Iraola can keep using star player Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield. Szoboszlai played right-back recently, but Iraola appreciates how willing he is to play wherever the team needs him. “No player has said they don’t want to play a certain position. Everyone wants to help,” Iraola said. “With injuries, we need players who can adapt, like Dom.”
Unfortunately, not all injury news was good. Iraola confirmed that Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike will take longer to return. Bradley hurt his knee back in January and had surgery, while Ekitike has been out since April with a serious Achilles injury.
On the bright side, Iraola expects Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa to come back shortly after Gomez. Leoni has been out with a knee injury since his debut last year, and Chiesa should start training soon.
Liverpool’s upcoming matches before the international break include Ipswich Town, Atletico Madrid, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, and Bournemouth—plenty of important tests ahead!