# Liverpool rebuild after Salah departure

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/liverpool-rebuild-after-salah-departure
> Updated: 2026-08-05T19:54:42.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 3.

In late July 2026 Liverpool began a rapid squad overhaul following Mohamed Salah’s exit. The club’s transfer agenda focused on high‑profile attackers such as French winger Bradley Barcola, Monaco midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, and Porto forward Oskar Pietuszewski, while also exploring a loan move for Darwin Núñez. Pre‑season preparations featured international friendlies in the United States, underscoring Liverpool’s global branding ahead of the 2026‑27 Premier League campaign.

Injuries sustained in a pre‑season match against Sunderland compounded the rebuilding challenge, with forward Hugo Ekitike and defender Joe Gomez sidelined. Interim attacking contributions from Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas offered temporary relief. Defensively, manager Brendan Rodgers considered deploying Japanese international Wataru Endo, traditionally a defensive midfielder, to bolster the back line alongside veterans Virgil van Dijk, Giovanni Leoni and returning Stefan Bajcetic, while also weighing youth promotion.

By early August the club, now under manager Andoni Iraola, added Spanish winger Victor Muñoz (£34.6 m from Osasuna) and defender Jeremy Jacquet, but a spate of injuries left van Dijk as the only fit senior centre‑back after the departure of Ibrahima Konaté. Liverpool were reported to be monitoring Aston Villa centre‑back Ezri Konsa and Real Madrid prospect Raúl Asencio to provide a partner for van Dijk before the season starts.

## Claims

- Victor Munoz transferred to Liverpool from Osasuna for £34.6 million in June. (single source)
- Victor Munoz is eligible to play in Liverpool's friendly against Monaco on Sunday. (single source)
- Andoni Iraola will be Liverpool's head coach for the Monaco friendly, his first matchday. (single source)
- Ibrahima Konaté left Liverpool to join Real Madrid on a free transfer. (single source)
- Liverpool are considering signing centre‑back Ezri Konsa for around £60 million. (single source)
- Arsenal are also interested in signing Ezri Konsa. (single source)
- Liverpool have signed Jeremy Jacquet. (single source)
- Liverpool have contacted Lucas Bergvall's family about a potential transfer after the midfielder requested to leave Tottenham. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-05: Liverpool pushes for defensive signings as injuries mount

Liverpool, hampered by injuries and Konaté’s exit, has signed Victor Muñoz and is targeting centre‑backs Ezri Konsa and Raúl Asencio to bolster a depleted defence before the new season.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/liverpool-eyes-monaco-friendly-targets-ezri-konsa-and-lucas-bergvall

### 2026-07-26: Liverpool seek new attacking and defensive options after preseason injury setbacks

Injuries to key players and Salah's exit have forced Liverpool to explore attacking pairings like Chiesa‑Koumas and consider Wataru Endo as a centre‑back option to shore up the defence.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/liverpool-seek-new-attacking-and-defensive-options-after-preseason-injury-setbacks

### 2026-07-24: Liverpool pursue new attackers amid Salah departure

Liverpool, after Salah’s exit, are chasing attackers like Barcola, Akliouche and Pietuszewski while staging US pre‑season friendlies.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/liverpool-eyes-akliouche-and-tottenham-defender-spence

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Cite as: Liverpool rebuild after Salah departure. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/liverpool-rebuild-after-salah-departure