Andoni Iraola, manager of Premier League club Liverpool, said the team still needs to strengthen some positions during the current transfer window, in light of the departure of several key players and injuries to others.

Liverpool had signed Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz, but lost the services of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate, while Hugo Eketike, Conor Bradley, and Giovanni Leoni are absent due to injury.

The Spanish coach told reporters in Chicago on Tuesday: 'It is difficult to determine all the team's needs precisely while the transfer market is still open; you must always remain open to opportunities that could help improve the squad.'

He added: 'There are clear positions we know we need to strengthen. For example, we definitely need to sign a winger.'

He continued: 'In other positions, we have to evaluate the options available in the market, the cost of signings, and the level of players we already have. There are some positions that seem complicated because we have injured players whose abilities we trust, but the situation is still far from ideal.'

The departures of Salah, Konate, and Robertson have reduced the experience within Liverpool's squad. Uncertainty also surrounds the future of Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker at Anfield, but Iraola confirmed his desire to keep him in the squad. He said: 'I think he will be a very important element in helping the new players adapt, whether they are experienced or young.'

He added: 'We need role models in the dressing room, like Virgil van Dijk, Alisson, and Joe Gomez, who have spent many years at the club. I am confident we will get that kind of support.'

Liverpool will begin their preparations for the new season by facing Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday, before playing Wrexham, Leeds United, Monaco, and Como in other friendly matches.

The team will start their new Premier League campaign with an away match against Newcastle United on August 23.