Liverpool: 'No adequate replacements' - Emile Heskey criticises Reds' summer transfer activity

Ex-Liverpool striker Emile Heskey - speaking exclusively to Sports Mole - has criticised the Reds' transfer strategy during the 2026 window, accusing the club of not replacing departed players with suitable successors.

The 2024-25 top-flight champions officially begin the Andoni Iraola era on Sunday afternoon, visiting Newcastle United in their first match of the Premier League season.

The St James' Park showdown pits together two head coach both embarking on new adventures, as Newcastle have replaced Eddie Howe with Matthias Jaissle during an equally significant summer of change on the pitch.

Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon have all sought pastures new, although Liverpool are also navigating their first season in nine years with no Mohamed Salah following his exit on a free transfer.

Fellow former stalwarts Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones have also walked out of the door, but Liverpool's only three senior signings this summer are Jeremy Jacquet - whom a deal was agreed for in January - Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona, and Spanish winger Victor Munoz.

Emile Heskey criticises Liverpool's summer transfer activity

The Anfield hierarchy and sporting director Richard Hughes are working to complete more deals before the September 1 deadline, and Heskey has urged the club to back Iraola if they are to secure the "necessity" of a top-four finish.

"You cannot take away the struggles that Liverpool have had," Heskey said. "Losing players, players with injuries, not replacing them with adequate replacements.

"A new manager coming in as well. He will be backed, but it is about who we are bringing in to help him launch what we believe is a necessity, top four."

Jones's £30m move to Inter Milan was confirmed on Friday evening, and fellow midfielders Stefan Bajcetic, Wataru Endo and James McConnell are not guaranteed to still be at Anfield for the 2026-27 season.

Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa could also be moved on in the next 10 days, as 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha is on course to start the season as Liverpool's first-choice right-winger.

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Liverpool have cast the net far and wide to find a winger capable of stepping into Salah's shoes, and the Reds' current focus appears to be centred on Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Yankuba Minteh.

Liverpool have failed with two bids for the Gambian, whom Brighton are holding out for a £70m fee for, and it remains to be seen if the Merseyside giants will meet those demands.

The Reds have not lost sight of Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola in the meantime, and there is hope that Liverpool could complete a deal for the £145m-rated Frenchman as soon as next week.

Further back, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton has been identified as a primary candidate to replace Jones, but the Reds may also be quoted a staggering £100m for the England international.

Emile Heskey was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of Premier League betting site BetWright.