Spence interest, Hughes future and striker deal - Liverpool questions answered

Of course, there is plenty to be done in the transfer market with the Reds having seen long-time squad members Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all walk away for nothing at the end of last season. And that's before consideration is given to which other players may also leave.

We have been asking for your questions on the current state of play at Anfield, and here we take a punt at providing some answers...

Ollie Fox asks: Is there a world where Stefan Bajcetic could be an option for Andoni Iraola at right-back?

Stefan Bajcetic has of course played at right-back for Liverpool before, but it was a very long time ago - September 2023 - and wasn't a massive success.

The key for Bajcetic now is simply to get himself back fit and available and in contention for regular minutes, even if that means another loan move. The prospect of him featuring as a potential right-back for Liverpool is a long way off.

Emmanuel Ademu asks: We need a very good and talented player for that Mohamed Salah position - what are we doing about it currently?

Well, Liverpool were willing to pay £86million for Yan Diomande but RB Leipzig wouldn't sell at that price and the player seemingly wants to join Paris Saint-Germain anyway.

PSG winger Bradley Barcola is among those on the Reds shortlist but is also valued at above £100m, while Brighton's Yanbuka Minteh, Said El Mala of Koln and Lille's Matias Fernandez-Pardo have also been looked at, and there was an enquiry earlier in the window regards Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche.

Liverpool are doing their homework and intriguingly none of those players mentioned has yet moved this summer. There will, of course, be other players being scouted, and it wouldn't be an entire surprise if the Reds end up making a leftfield decision. But, as head coach Andoni Iraola has said, a new right-winger is imperative.

Tom asks: What are the plans for the centre-forward position given Alexander Isak is currently our only option and isn’t particularly robust and misses games with minor injuries?

Liverpool are obviously looking to strengthen their forward options with a new right-winger, but there will surely be scope for a possible further addition given the long-term injury to Hugo Ekitike and the desire not to overburden Alexander Isak.

But if no extra forward is forthcoming, it could be that Cody Gakpo is asked to once again occasionally step into the breach down the centre of the forward line, or Florian Wirtz is used as a false nine. Federico Chiesa is another option, although none of those overly convinced in the role last season.

The next alternatives after that would most likely be from the Academy, with, when fit, Jayden Danns ahead of Will Wright in the pecking order.

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Joe asks: Is Richard Hughes leaving at the end of the transfer window? Any idea who his replacement will be if he is?

There is a growing expectation Richard Hughes will leave his position as Liverpool sporting director once the summer window is over, with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal his most likely next destination.

As for his replacement, Liverpool have gone through a number of different sporting directors in recent years and could possibly look internally at Julian Ward once again, who is presently technical director for parent company Fenway Sports Group. But there has been no suggestion of a replacement being lined up just yet.

Thomas asks: A lot of young kids are out on the tour in America. Do you think any have a chance of breaking through this season?

The majority of the Academy players to have made the trip to the United States have either had experience of loan moves - for example James McConnell, Lewis Koumas, Calum Scanlon, Luke Chambers and Harvey Davies - or are still very much at the start of their career journey, such as Will Wright and Josh Sonni-Lambie.

Most of those previously loaned players are likely to be sent out again. Josh Abe, the 16-year-old highly-regard winger, has obviously created a real buzz but will perhaps greater benefit from increased action in Premier League 2 with the under-21s, along with appearances in the UEFA Youth League for the U19s.

Wright and Kieran Morrison, who signed a new deal in the summer, are perhaps the two who could feature in the League Cup squad in September, with 19-year-old Morrison having made two senior outings last season. New 18-year-old centre-back signing Ifeanyi Ndukwe will likely have chances to impress on tour also.

Scott asks: Think we'd be interested in Djed Spence?

Liverpool are in a difficult position regards right-back. Andoni Iraola has made it clear Conor Bradley is his first-choice, but the Northern Ireland international remains months away from a return. Jeremie Frimpong is next in line, but he's better going forward than defending and has been a little injury prone since arriving last summer.

Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo all did a job there last season. But Gomez is likely needed for now at centre-back, while Endo is still not fully fit and Jones and Szoboszlai are midfielders first and foremost.

Probably an ideal solution is signing a centre-back who can play at right-back also, or bringing in a right-back on loan for the season because Liverpool will not want to spend a fortune on a player who they readily admit won't be a regular once Bradley is back - although the 23-year-old's injury record as a professional is very patchy, which could also be a consideration.

Djed Spence is neither of those things. He would be very expensive for a start. And, don't forget, clubs should never, ever, ever buy a player on the back of a decent showing at the World Cup.