Liverpool did not sign a like-for-like replacement for Mohamed Salah. Danny Murphy believes that was the right call.

Salah ended a nine-year chapter at Anfield in March 2026, when he confirmed he would leave at the end of the season. Andoni Iraola, appointed head coach on 4 June, inherited the task of restructuring an attack that had leaned on the Egyptian’s right-sided output for close to a decade.

Speaking to Goal, Murphy said the club had explored right-sided options before pivoting away.

“I think there were a lot of rumours around trying to get Minteh and Sarr in, who are obviously more right-sided players, so they’re obviously aware of it.”

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For Murphy, missing out on those targets did not justify forcing an unwanted deal.

“You don’t always get what you want in a window. You can’t be held to ransom and pay over the odds for players just because you desperately need them,” he told Goal.

Barcola arrives, but from the left

Liverpool’s biggest attacking move was Bradley Barcola, signed from Paris Saint-Germain on a five-year deal. The guaranteed fee is £106m, with add-ons that could take it to £123m.

Barcola, however, is a left-footed forward who prefers the left flank, joining Cody Gakpo and teenager Rio Ngumoha in that zone. The right-hand side, where Salah operated, has been left open.

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Carragher: not the position Liverpool needed

Not everyone shares Murphy’s confidence. Jamie Carragher argued the squad was already crowded on one flank while short on the other.

“I don’t think Liverpool have got anyone really in the squad who looks fully comfortable playing right wing, whereas, right now, I think they probably have at least four players in the squad before Barcola joins who could play on the left-hand side comfortably,” he told Sky Sports.

“Now I’m not saying any of those players are better than Barcola, but in terms of balance of a squad, it’s not the position Liverpool need right now.”

Sky Sports’ own assessment of Iraola’s first window agreed the imbalance runs beyond the wide areas, pointing to full-back cover and midfield protection as separate structural questions the summer spend did not answer.

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Murphy: enough for now

Murphy accepted the criticism but stood by the strategy.

“So in an ideal world you’d want a more orthodox right-sided player, I agree with that, but ultimately do I think they’ve got enough for now?” he told Goal.

The next chance to correct the right-wing gap is the January transfer window, with Iraola set to work with the squad he has until then.

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