Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has identified Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh as his preferred target as the club considers adding another attacking player before the transfer window closes.
According to Foday Manneh, sources have confirmed that Iraola holds Minteh in high regard and believes the winger’s qualities could provide the balance Liverpool need in attack.
BBC Sport pundit Joe Hart believes Alexander Isak dropping deep to receive the ball, rather than staying forward, is a sign the striker is low in confidence.
Hart also said Isak is not having the ball played to him in the areas where he can be most effective.
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Liverpool’s first two Premier League matches of the season have ended 2-2, despite Iraola’s side controlling 60% possession against Newcastle last week and 70% against Nottingham Forest.
In both games, Liverpool fell behind and have yet to lead in the Premier League this season. That has made life more difficult for Alexander Isak, who was a major threat in Newcastle’s counter-attacking system. Against teams defending in low blocks, the challenge is different.
The issue also reflects a broader problem for Iraola. Last season, his Bournemouth team won only four of the 19 Premier League matches in which they had the majority of possession. They won nine of the other 19.
The Cherries were known for their counter-pressing approach and their effectiveness in transition, but they also failed to win any match in which they had more than 58.8% possession.
In effect, Iraola’s side performed better when they had less of the ball — a situation that is unlikely to occur regularly now that he is at Anfield.
“As an attacking force it isn’t flowing for Liverpool,” said Hart. “With the physical nature of the Premier League and with them not 100% sure on what they are doing at the moment, teams are stomping all over them.”
“It’s going to take a whole lot of work from Iraola and his staff on the training pitch, but he is a top coach and they have top players.”
Asked whether he sets targets for the season, Isak said: “Not really. I think every striker wants to score [in] every game he plays. Obviously that’s difficult but [we take] each game at a time.”
That is one way to approach the situation, and Isak’s performance was certainly an improvement on his display against Newcastle. However, the striker will know privately that he can — and must — perform better.
Bradley Barcola has emerged as a key target for Liverpool as the club looks to strengthen its attack after the departures of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah over the past two summers.
Barcola joined Paris Saint-Germain from Lyon in 2023 for a reported £38.5m. Since moving to Paris, the France international has won three Ligue 1 titles, two Champions League trophies, two French Cups, the Uefa Super Cup and the Fifa Intercontinental Cup.
The transfer fee Liverpool have agreed to pay includes covering a solidarity payment that PSG owe Lyon from the deal that took Barcola to the French capital three years ago.
Barcola, who scored three goals for France in this summer’s World Cup, can operate on the right wing or through the middle. His versatility could also provide cover for Alexander Isak while Hugo Ekitike recovers from a serious Achilles injury.
Speaking before Saturday’s 12:30 BST game against Nottingham Forest, Reds boss Andoni Iraola was asked about Gakpo’s future. He said he “cannot guarantee anything”, although he wants to keep the 27-year-old at the club.
“[Gakpo] has been very good since he came back from the World Cup and his holiday, with a very good attitude. I hope we can keep him at that level because I think he has been very influential in our games,”
Iraola he said.