Stephen Warnock didn't mince words, telling new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola that signing a right-back is his "first demand" and an "absolute priority" this summer. With Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet already in the squad from the off-season, Warnock is pushing hard for where the club's focus absolutely needs to be as the transfer market stays open.
Iraola Needs Depth, Warnock Has The Answer
Iraola made it clear in his introductory press conference: the squad needs more depth. We are talking about battling in four competitions during the 2026/27 season, and you cannot do that without options. Warnock, a former Reds defender himself, laid it all out when asked about transfer priorities. His response? "A right-back, 100%." He acknowledged that centre-back might just scrape by with Giovanni Leoni returning from injury. Leoni looked good last year, but after an ACL injury, who knows what condition he will truly be in? Warnock is adamant, though: right-back is the absolute non-negotiable priority. Then you look at left-back, with Andrew Robertson gone and Kostas Tsimikas back in the squad. Iraola's got to figure out if Milos Kerkez can handle a full season and if Tsimikas can provide enough support. But for Warnock, if he's Iraola, his first demand is a right-back, no question.The Problem At Right-Back, The £55M Solution?
On paper, you might think Liverpool is stacked at right-back with Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, both excellent when they're on their game. But here's the kicker: Bradley has been out for six months with a serious knee injury. Frimpong? He has struggled to stay fit and took some heat for his performances in his first season at Anfield. We've got problems, people! So, who can the Reds realistically bring in? Jules Kounde's name has come up, and honestly, he could be a game-changer. Reports say Barcelona considers the France international "expendable," and he could be available for a reduced price of £55m. The 27-year-old can also play centre-back, which would effectively cover two positions, letting the club focus on adding a winger and a defensive midfielder , the other two big needs. Considering the injury nightmare we had in the backline last season, it would be outright negligence not to bring in at least one more defender. The transfer window is open, and September 1st will be here before we know it. Iraola seems like the kind of coach who won't hesitate to tell the hierarchy exactly what he needs and press home the urgency of these decisions. Let's hope they're listening.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.