The new request from Iraola

Apuesta a este partido aquí

Premier League

1 X 2

Brighton Aston Villa

23/08/26 15:00:00

2.25 3.60 2.88

 PUBLICIDAD

Cuotas validas al publicarse, sujetas a cambios. Regístrese en bet365, ingrese 5€ o más en su cuenta y conseguirá un 100% de su ingreso válido en créditos de apuesta (hasta 100€). Solo para clientes nuevos. Se aplican las condiciones. Las ganancias no incluyen el importe de los créditos de apuesta. Se aplican premios máximos, restricciones de juego, límites de tiempo y condiciones. Es necesario registrarse.

Liverpool has initiated actions in this summer market to sign a center back following the express request of Andoni Iraola. The Spanish coach feels it is necessary to improve their defensive rotation for the upcoming season as they aim to compete for all titles.

The Merseyside club is considering John Stones, a 32-year-old center back currently without a team after his contract expired with Manchester City, and Ezri Konsa, a 28-year-old defender playing for Aston Villa, as top priority options. Both are high-level choices who recently participated in the 2026 World Cup with England.

The demand by Andoni Iraola due to defensive absences at Liverpool

The Liverpool coach has urged the board to speed up the arrival of an experienced defender after physical difficulties during the preseason. Injuries to recent signings Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, along with muscle problems for Joe Gomez, and Virgil van Dijk's rest after the 2026 World Cup, forced Andoni Iraola to field academy players Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe, both 18 years old, against Sunderland.

In this scenario, John Stones emerges as the most accessible free option after his deal in Manchester ended. The English international played in the recent World Cup under Thomas Tuchel and is willing to move to Anfield, although his agents are also in talks with Arsenal and Chelsea.

Ezri Konsa and market alternatives for the Reds squad

On the other hand, Ezri Konsa is the second priority due to his versatility to play as a center back or right-back. Liverpool has joined Arsenal in the race for the Aston Villa player, considering the tactical flexibility he would bring to the defensive setup.

Furthermore, Liverpool's technical department is monitoring Illia Zabarnyi's situation at Paris Saint-Germain, whom Andoni Iraola previously coached at Bournemouth. Simultaneously, the scouting department is keeping an eye on Levi Colwill and Micky van de Ven, although Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are unwilling to negotiate their departures in this transfer window.

Liverpool's sporting department will intensify formal discussions with John Stones' representatives and with Aston Villa's board regarding Ezri Konsa during the last days of July 2026.

The club's objective is to secure the signing of at least one of the English internationals before the start of the Premier League's first match, avoiding dependency on youth players at the beginning of the season.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La nueva petición de Iraola