We're paraphrasing, but the Spanish coach is aware of Liverpool's fragilities, is aware that more is needed if the squad are to travel down four different fronts over the course of the campaign.

Liverpool managed to cling onto Champions League qualification under Arne Slot's wing in the end, but it's difficult to suggest the Reds are considerably stronger right now, man for man.

Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are compelling young defensive prospects, but Ibrahim Konate has left for Real Madrid. Victor Munoz has arrived to bolster the frontline, but Mohamed Salah has joined Trabzonspor - and Cody Gakpo could be on the way out too.

It's all a bit quiet on the central front. Liverpool arguably need a new midfielder or two, and Curtis Jones' imminent transfer to Inter Milan will only fan such flames.

Liverpool's Curtis Jones: A career

The circumstances surrounding Jones' divorce from his boyhood club are a little sour. He fell out with Dominik Szoboszlai and Kostas Tsimikas during the Reds' pre-season tour, ostensibly because the latter was handed the armband when Szoboszlai was withdrawn after a 1-0 win over Wrexham.

But he's never quite managed to cement himself as a superstar at Liverpool, never quite succeeded in becoming a mainstay. A one-way ticket to Serie A champions Inter offers the 25-year-old a fresh start and the chance to grow as a player - albeit, Liverpool's Scouse connection will be weakened.

But Iraola needs a unit whose full focus is fixed on the project. Jones' head has been turned, and he does not want to play a bit-part role once again.

Jones is among the finest press resistent midfielders in the Premier League. He is a jack of all trades, but a master of none, and if Liverpool are going to replace him this summer, they need to secure someone with an elite skillset.

Trey Nyoni is ready to step up to senior life, but more may well be needed, with sporting director Richard Hughes ready to make his move.

Liverpool ready to sign Curtis Jones replacement

The consensus at Liverpool is that Iraola does not need specialist No. 6 this season. Instead, Liverpool's central system will be built up of interchangeable, multi-functional parts.

That is to say, there might just be something in Liverpool's interest in Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton. According to Caught Offside, FSG are ready to close a deal for the ball-playing midfielder, even as new Eagles manager Pierre Sage argues that he is going nowhere.

In fairness, Palace have made some big sales over the past few windows. They will fight tooth and nail to keep onto him, but didn't Newcastle say the same one year ago, when Alexander Isak was barred from the exit?

Wharton will cost Liverpool around £100m this summer, but it could be worth the expenditure, with the England international (who was omitted by Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup campaign) among the finest passers in Europe. He has been hailed as a "cheat code" on the ball by Como scout Ben Mattinson.

Wharton, after all, is an immense distributor. He knows how to pick a pass. In the Premier League last season, he ranked among the top 5% of midfielders for big chances created and the top 15% for recoveries made per 90, emphasising his technicality and his athleticism.

As a creator from deep, Wharton excels - and that there is all she wrote. His ability to dominate and dictate on the ball is exactly what Iraola needs. Moreover, he has the mobility and defensive awareness to keep up with the pace of Iraola's tactics.

Jones would have been excellent under the former Bournemouth boss' wing, but Wharton is quite simply a cut above.

Jones doesn't lose the ball very much, but he is far too conservative in possession. How many times have we seen the six-time Three Lions star fail to release when presented with an opening, or opted for a sideward switch instead of taking some initiative.

This is not to invalidate the big impact Jones has had as a Scouser at Liverpool over the duration of his career. But he is not irreplaceable, and the Anfield side could now sign Wharton and raise Iraola's system, firing it up and into the ascendancy.