Bradley Barcola’s £123m Liverpool Move Piles Pressure on Andoni Iraola
Liverpool have added another major attacking option by spending £123m ($167m) on France winger Bradley Barcola, increasing the selection pressure on head coach Andoni Iraola as Alexander Isak begins to rediscover his scoring touch.
Barcola arrival adds to Liverpool’s expensive rebuild
The Reds had already committed huge money to reshaping their forward line following their Premier League title success in 2025. Florian Wirtz arrived for £116m ($157m), while Hugo Ekitike cost £69m ($94m) before Isak joined from Newcastle United in a British-record deal.
- Wirtz has yet to deliver the influence Liverpool wanted from the Germany playmaker.
- Ekitike sustained an Achilles injury in April and is not expected back until around the turn of the year.
- Isak missed pre-season, later suffered a broken leg and managed only four goals in all competitions last term.
- Barcola’s signing gives Iraola another elite wide attacking choice once the squad is fully fit.
The new winger’s arrival could complicate the picture for Liverpool’s front three, particularly when Ekitike returns. The French forward is comfortable moving towards the left flank, while Barcola also offers pace and width from the wide areas.
Isak responds after difficult first season
Isak, 26, has faced renewed scrutiny at the beginning of the 2026-27 campaign, but his recent Premier League form has eased some of those concerns. The Sweden international has scored three times across his last two league outings.
He also struck against Nottingham Forest and Ipswich, although he failed to score in Liverpool’s opening Champions League match of the season. Iraola’s side recovered from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield.
For now, Ekitike’s absence has left Isak without direct competition for the central striker role. That situation will change when Liverpool’s injured forward returns.
Pennant expects room for Isak and Ekitike
Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant does not believe Isak has simply benefited from Ekitike being unavailable. He feels the two expensive forwards could have been accommodated in the same side.
- Pennant said Liverpool could have used Isak through the middle and allowed Ekitike to operate from the left.
- He pointed to Ekitike’s tendency to drift wide before cutting inside on to his right foot.
- He suggested the pair could also have linked up centrally at times as two strikers.
- Pennant insisted players of their quality should not be left regularly on the bench.
With Cody Gakpo struggling for form during the period around Ekitike’s injury, Pennant believes there was a tactical opening for both Isak and Ekitike in Liverpool’s attack.
Pressure remains on Isak and Iraola
Former Reds striker Robbie Fowler had raised doubts before the season over whether Isak could stay fit and meet the expectations created by his price tag. Fowler also warned that scrutiny would not stop with the striker.
He said Iraola was already under pressure after failing to deliver in his second season, arguing that once supporters and observers begin to question performances, the situation can quickly deteriorate.
What happens next is likely to depend on Isak’s ability to sustain his current scoring run. Ekitike’s expected return and Barcola’s arrival will give Iraola more attacking solutions, but they will also leave little room for another prolonged dip in form.
