Liverpool’s summer is being framed less by glamour at the top end of the pitch and more by what happened when the back line was stretched. Four goals in 25 second-half minutes against Leeds exposed how fragile Liverpool can look when the senior defenders are missing. Bradley Barcola has become the headline attacking target, but the deeper problem is the lack of reliable cover behind Virgil van Dijk.
The Leeds game showed the problem
Andoni Iraola called the friendly useful because it showed Liverpool what needs fixing. That is fair enough. The first half offered a more controlled version of the team, then the second half unravelled quickly enough to leave a clear warning for Arne Slot.
Liverpool started with Jeremie Frimpong, Luke Chambers, Ifeanye Ndukwe and Miloš Kerkez at the back. That is not a unit built on senior security, and it looked like it when the game opened up. The broader picture is not much calmer either, with Liverpool conceding 12 goals across their final five Premier League matches of 2025 and finishing 5th in the league.
Phil Thompson put the issue bluntly enough when he said, “Right now, there's only Virgil and Ali [Alisson]. Someone like Szoboszlai has to step up too and I think he will.” It reflects the same concern that has followed Liverpool through the summer: Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley are in the conversation, but the squad still looks light on established defensive depth.
Why Liverpool keep leaning on midfield cover
The awkward part for Liverpool is that this is not a brand-new problem. Slot used Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai as emergency right-backs last season, and Szoboszlai has already shown he is willing to fill in again. “Last season I played a lot of positions. Let's see. Hopefully he puts me in midfield but if he needs me at right-back, happy to do that,” he said.
That flexibility helps in a pinch. It also tells you something about the squad build, because Liverpool are still leaning on midfielders to solve defensive gaps. Szoboszlai’s latest league match rating was 7.2 and he played 98 minutes, which fits the profile of a player trusted to absorb extra responsibility. It is useful cover, not a long-term answer.
The recruitment logic has followed that same line. PSG value Bradley Barcola at £145m, while Liverpool are more willing to do a deal around the £100m mark. He has become the club’s main attacking target, but this is not a straightforward replacement story and it would be wrong to treat it like one. The bigger summer question is whether Liverpool buy the statement forward and still leave enough room to repair the back line.
FAQ
Why are Liverpool's summer transfer plans being shaped by defensive concerns?
Liverpool conceded four goals in 25 second-half minutes against Leeds, and they started that game with Jeremie Frimpong, Luke Chambers, Ifeanye Ndukwe and Miloš Kerkez at the back. Arne Slot also used Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai as emergency right-backs last season, while Phil Thompson said only Virgil van Dijk and Alisson are carrying the leadership load right now.
Is Bradley Barcola Liverpool's main attacking target this summer?
Bradley Barcola has emerged as Liverpool’s primary attacking target, but the move is not done. PSG value him at £145m, while Liverpool are more willing to work around the £100m mark.
How much does Liverpool's defence need strengthening after the Leeds friendly?
The Leeds friendly exposed how thin Liverpool can look when senior defenders are missing. They conceded four goals in 25 second-half minutes, and the wider picture includes 12 goals conceded across their final five Premier League matches last season.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
