Bradley Barcola Makes First Liverpool Start Against Atletico Madrid
Liverpool’s new signing Bradley Barcola has been handed his first start after a substitute debut at Ipswich, completing 60 minutes against Atletico Madrid as Andoni Iraola begins to integrate the France international.
Key takeaways
- Barcola, 24, has joined Liverpool from Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain on a nine-figure deal.
- He is being recruited to provide wide creativity following Mohamed Salah’s exit after nine years at Anfield.
- Salah scored 257 goals for Liverpool and won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award three times.
- Former Reds winger Jermaine Pennant believes Barcola’s pace and strength suit Premier League football.
- Liverpool host Fulham on Saturday, with former Anfield defender Alvaro Arbeloa set to return.
Barcola faces immediate Liverpool demand
Liverpool have spent heavily again after paying £116m ($157m) for Florian Wirtz 12 months ago and completing a club-record £125m ($169m) move for Sweden striker Alexander Isak. Neither player has yet matched the high expectations attached to those deals.
Barcola arrives with a similar burden. Liverpool need a fast impact from a player expected to become a major attacking figure, particularly after Salah’s departure removed one of the most reliable sources of goals and inspiration in the club’s modern history.
The French winger is most effective on the left flank, while Salah made his name cutting in from the right. Barcola’s age, international experience and development at PSG have convinced Liverpool that he can handle a leading role in the final third.
His early appearances have been managed carefully. After coming off the bench at Ipswich, he was selected from the start for the European meeting with Atletico and played an hour. Liverpool are waiting for his first goal or assist, but his first displays have offered encouraging signs.
Pennant backs winger to settle quickly
Pennant expects Barcola to adapt to English football more quickly than Wirtz, arguing that the physical demands on a central attacker can be harsher than those faced by a winger.
He said every overseas arrival must adjust to the Premier League’s intensity, which he considers more competitive than other European divisions. But Barcola has attributes that should translate: speed, strength for his frame and the ability to drive past defenders.
Pennant added that Wirtz operates in a crowded midfield area where the physical work is relentless, while life can be different in wide positions. He has been impressed by the brief glimpses Barcola has shown so far.
There will still be an adjustment period for a player accustomed to PSG and France sides that regularly dominate possession and territory. Liverpool, however, cannot allow the transition to drag on for too long after another enormous financial commitment.
The Reds take a run of consecutive domestic and European victories into Saturday’s Premier League home match against Fulham, where Arbeloa will be a familiar face on the opposing side.
