Liverpool Finally Look Like They Have A Plan, And That’s Exciting

For the first time in what feels like weeks, I’m genuinely excited about Liverpool’s transfer window.

Not because Bradley Barcola is already on his way to Anfield. Not because Rayan has agreed to join Liverpool. Neither of those things has happened yet, and there is still plenty of work to do before supporters should start celebrating.

What has changed is something much more important.

For the first time since Liverpool missed out on Yan Diomande, it feels like the club have a genuine plan again.

The reports linking Liverpool with a double move for Barcola and Bournemouth’s Rayan have given me a level of optimism that I honestly didn’t expect to feel quite so soon. We’ve all spent the last few days wondering how Liverpool would respond after missing out on one of their priority targets, and if the information proving to be discussed behind the scenes is accurate, then Richard Hughes deserves credit for refusing to stand still.

Nothing is guaranteed in football, especially during a transfer window, but ambition is something supporters recognise immediately.

For me, bringing Barcola and Rayan to Liverpool would represent exactly that.

I understand there will be scepticism. There always is whenever Liverpool are linked with players carrying significant price tags. Some supporters remain unconvinced by Barcola, while others question whether Rayan has enough experience to justify the excitement surrounding him.

I understand those concerns because I’ve shared some of them myself.

However, football rarely allows clubs to keep chasing yesterday’s dream.

Once Diomande chose Real Madrid, Liverpool had two options. They could spend weeks feeling sorry for themselves, or they could identify the next best solution and attack it with conviction.

Thankfully, it appears they’ve chosen the latter.

Barcola has gradually become the obvious priority. He’s still only 23, already has experience of competing at the very highest level, and possesses the technical quality and athleticism that Andoni Iraola appears to value so highly. While he has spent much of his recent career operating from the left, there is clearly confidence inside Liverpool that he can fulfil the role required on the right before eventually moving back to his preferred side in the future.

That long-term thinking is what interests me most.

Too often, supporters only look at the starting eleven for the opening weekend of the season. Clubs don’t build squads that way anymore. They build for two or three years ahead, ensuring the next generation is already in place before the current one begins to fade.

That’s why the Rayan links make perfect sense.

He’s still developing, and nobody should pretend otherwise, but that’s also what makes him such an intriguing option. His ceiling is exceptionally high. Under Iraola, Liverpool would be giving themselves another explosive young attacker capable of growing alongside Florian Wirtz, Rio Ngumoha, Hugo Ekitike, and the other exciting talent already arriving at the club.

Suddenly, you’re not simply replacing players.

You’re building an attack capable of competing for years.

If Liverpool somehow completed both deals, it would also explain why speculation surrounding Cody Gakpo refuses to disappear. I like Gakpo, and I’ve defended him plenty of times, but squad building sometimes requires difficult decisions. You cannot continue adding elite attackers without somebody making way, and if Liverpool believe Barcola and Rayan represent the future, then moving Gakpo on becomes easier to understand, even if supporters don’t particularly enjoy the idea.

Of course, none of this means Liverpool can ignore the other glaring issue within the squad.

Joe Gomez’s injury against Sunderland served as another reminder that defensive reinforcements remain essential. Whether it’s a new centre back, another full back or ideally both, Liverpool still have work to do before this squad feels complete.

The excitement surrounding the forward line shouldn’t distract anybody from that reality.

Equally, I don’t think supporters should apologise for feeling excited either.

For a while, Liverpool’s transfer strategy felt reactive. One setback seemed to lead to another and optimism quickly turned into frustration. Missing out on Diomande could easily have left the club scrambling for alternatives with little conviction.

Instead, it now appears Liverpool have identified another pathway.

That doesn’t guarantee success.

It doesn’t guarantee Barcola signs.

It doesn’t guarantee Rayan arrives.

But it does suggest Liverpool aren’t drifting.

They’re adapting.

They’re planning.

Most importantly, they’re acting.

If Richard Hughes can somehow complete a window that brings Bradley Barcola and Rayan to Anfield while still addressing the defence, I think we’ll look back on this summer very differently from how many of us feared just a week ago.

For the first time in a while, it genuinely feels like Liverpool are building something exciting again.

Much love.