As the new Premier League season draws closer for Liverpool, new manager Iraola has begun work at the AXA Training Centre, while some players have returned to prepare for pre-season, which officially kicks off next Tuesday.

Of course, there is still much to do in the transfer market. At the end of last season, long-serving players such as Salah, Robertson, and Konaté all left on free transfers, not to mention other players who could also depart. We gathered questions from fans about the current situation at Anfield and tried to provide answers.

Fan Brownm0435 asks: Why are Liverpool so slow in the transfer window? Shouldn't a big gap like Salah's be filled as soon as possible? Our thin squad is worrying.

Reporter's Answer: I have repeatedly expressed concerns about Liverpool's squad depth over the past two years. Compared with the squad from 2018-2022, there is a clear gap, both in terms of experienced substitutes and the number of players progressing from the academy to the first team. Transfer windows in World Cup and European Championship years are usually slow-paced because of the tournaments, and with Liverpool changing managers, previous plans have undoubtedly been put on hold, re-evaluated, or completely scrapped. Clearly, the signing of Victor Muñoz and the failed attempt to bring in Jan Diomande show that Liverpool are not entirely inactive, and there are still seven weeks until the transfer window closes. But it is frustrating that Iraola will begin pre-season knowing his squad could look very different by September 1st.

Fan Tom Reading asks: I know Liverpool usually operate quietly, but this year it seems even more so. Do you think this is because the protracted and ultimately rejected Diomande transfer was too public, or is it genuinely quiet behind the scenes?

Reporter's Answer: I don't think whether a transfer pursuit is public has any impact. If a club truly wants a player, they will continue to pursue him, as was the case with Isak last summer and Wirtz, to a lesser extent. Even if no signings or departures are completed, it doesn't mean Liverpool and their recruitment team aren't working behind the scenes. The problem clearly was that they had planned to go all out for Diomande, encouraged by the player's willingness to join, only for him to choose PSG as his next destination. This means Liverpool have to reassess their targets for a new winger. Moreover, the uncertainty surrounding the future of several first-team players must be addressed before other positions can be properly resolved.

Fan TS_talkslfc asks: Of Barcola, Fernández-Pardo, and Saïd-Mara, who is the best option? Is it likely that more than one winger will be signed?

Reporter's Answer: I have never watched Fernández-Pardo or Saïd-Mara play, so I can only assume Barcola is the best option by default. However, he is expensive, and PSG is reluctant to sell, making this deal seem difficult. The French international would also need to be convinced to join. Liverpool already has a new winger in Muñoz, so it is unlikely they will add two more wingers. Personally, I would like a versatile forward who can play as a central striker to ease the pressure on Isak, as Ekitike's return this year is unlikely, and he may not recover his best form until next season.

Fan Andros1912 asks: In the transfer market, every English central midfielder is valued at over £70 million. Why would Liverpool let Curtis Jones and Elliott leave for a low fee, or even for free next summer? Why not give them new contracts? What are the board's plans for this, or is it just a mistake?

Reporter's Answer: That's a good question. Iraola's appointment may have changed the prospects for both players, especially Elliott, who seemed to have played his last game for Liverpool before his permanent move to Villa fell through due to unfortunate circumstances. However, both of their contracts expire in less than 12 months, and from a financial perspective, Liverpool need to understand Iraola's plans quickly in case they need to make a decision on the duo sooner. Jones has already attracted interest from Inter, but the Serie A club are unwilling to meet his valuation of over £30 million. Their expiring contracts mean their transfer fees will not be as high as they would be if they had longer remaining deals. Unlike many players whose contracts expire at the end of this season (Van Dijk, Alisson, Gomez, Tsimikas, etc.), Jones and Elliott have not yet reached their career peaks. Furthermore, both are homegrown academy players, which is an important factor Liverpool will inevitably consider. The Reds could not have foreseen the difficulties Elliott encountered at Villa, but it is clear they have put themselves in a difficult position regarding these two players.

Fan J asks: Among the current crop of academy players, which ones do you think have a chance of breaking into the first team this season?

Reporter's Answer: That's a tough question. Most academy players who are ready to break through have already made first-team appearances, such as Kieran Morrison, Jayden Danns, and, of course, Nyoni and Ngumoha, both of whom are considered first-team options. Players in the next tier might include those who were on the bench at the end of last season, such as forward Will Wright and center-back Mor-Talla Ndiaye. It will also be interesting to see when another new defender, Ifeanyi Ndubuisi, knocks on the first-team door. The League Cup third round in September will be the first real opportunity for young players.

Fan Adam_s1983 asks: If we don't sign a new center-back this summer, what is the pecking order among the center-backs to partner Van Dijk?

Reporter's Answer: Jérémy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni lack experience in English football, and both are recovering from injuries, which suggests Joe Gomez is currently the leading option for the opening game of the season away to Newcastle. But you do not spend £60 million on a young player just to keep him on the bench, so Jacquet will quickly become next in line after Van Dijk, with Leoni likely third and Gomez fourth.

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