Phil Thompson urges Liverpool to sign five players as defensive gaps concern legend

Phil Thompson has called on Liverpool to make up to five more signings this summer, warning that the squad Andoni Iraola inherits is short of the depth required to challenge for the Premier League title.

The 72-year-old former Reds captain is particularly concerned about the club’s defensive options after centre-back Ibrahima Konate and full-back Andy Robertson both departed at the end of their contracts. Jeremy Jacquet has arrived from Rennes and Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo has joined on loan, but Thompson believes those additions are not enough.

“Defensively, we do need more,” Thompson said. “It is a particular area — if Jacquet isn’t fully ready, who is going to be there? It’s a difficult one. We still need recruitment. I think we probably need four, maybe five players in total in different positions. Defensively, certainly, a midfield player, a wide player; you need two quality players for every position. There’s work to be done.”

Liverpool have made three senior signings so far this summer, but Thompson’s assessment suggests the club remain some way short of a fully competitive squad as Iraola prepares for his first season at Anfield. The side open their Premier League campaign against Newcastle.

Despite the concerns, Thompson pointed to improved financial firepower as a reason for optimism. Owners Fenway Sports Group sold a minority stake in the club for approximately £1.4 billion last week, and the former captain believes that investment could unlock significant transfer activity.

“The finance side of it, we could spend that money because we’ve done very, very well in sales,” he said. “When you look at the investment coming into the football club, the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United — when you see them travelling the world, it shows that they are the two biggest football clubs. People want to invest in them, and I think it contributes towards better buying power even with the restrictions that you have.”

Liverpool are reported to be pursuing Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola as one potential addition, though no deal has been confirmed.

Thompson, a seven-time league winner with the club, expressed cautious optimism about Iraola’s appointment but was candid about the scale of the challenge facing the former Bournemouth manager. “Change can be good, change can be bad,” he said. “You change because things have been going wrong — it’s not like Jurgen Klopp leaving on a high. Things have gone wrong, so you need to address that.”