How the Reds could line up this season coming should they add Bradley Barcola to their ranks this summer
Bradley Barcola in action for France during the World Cup.
Bradley Barcola in action for France during the World Cup(Image: Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Liverpool haven't been as active in the transfer window this summer as many expected. But there's one target who now overshadows any other: Bradley Barcola, and the club are believed to be working hard to bring the player to Anfield.
While the French left winger isn't a natural fit as a replacement for Mohamed Salah, given he primarily operates on the other flank, the PSG man has more flexibility in his locker than some might realise. He could fit into several formations if the Reds clinch his signature.
With Liverpool taking on Newcastle in just three weeks' time, Andoni Iraola will be giving much thought to the starting line-up for that Premier League opener. The likes of Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are injured, meaning the Reds manager will have to improvise.
If Liverpool do land Barcola ahead of the Newcastle game, and with new signing Victor Munoz also in the frame, the Reds could send out a brand new attack. Here, we take a look at three ways Liverpool could line up with Barcola in their ranks.
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Liverpool could play a 4-2-3-1
Liverpool could play a 4-2-3-1
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Iraola will likely choose to deploy his favoured formation from his Bournemouth days with Alisson Becker expected to remain as No. 1 this season. This formation would enable the Reds to practice a flat back four with flying wing-backs in the form of Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, with Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet in the heart of the defence.
It's in the middle where a double pivot of Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravbenberch could hold down the fort while a devastating trio of Rio Ngumoha, Florian Wirtz and Barcola would sit behind Alexander Isak up top.
In this system, Barcola would be in his favoured left-sided role, where he has scored 32 goals and bagged 32 assists from for PSG and Lyon. Ngumoha would feature on the right, a shift Iraola used in the recent pre-season win over Wrexham, while Wirtz would get to pull the strings in his favoured No. 10 position.
How the Reds could look in a 4-3-3
How the Reds could look in a 4-3-3
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With the same goalkeeper and back four, the change here comes in the form of the midfield. Szoboszlai, Gravbenberch and Wirtz would form a more traditional engine room, with the German star given freedom to roam while the Dutchman sits slightly deeper.
It's up front where Iraola could experiment, too. Barcola could feature on the right, a side of the pitch the Frenchman isn't entirely familiar with but does have experience on. The PSG man has only seven goals from the right but has managed 15 assists.
New signing Victor Munoz would operate in his favoured position on the left flank, with both wingers supplying balls into Isak, who is working as a lone striker. This could even revert into a closed 4-5-1 without the ball, should the Reds wish to hold onto a lead.
Iraola could use a 4-4-1-1
Iraola could use a 4-4-1-1
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This system sees Wirtz on the left and Ngumoha on the right of a four-man midfield with Szoboszlai and Gravbenberch forming a two-man rear guard. However, this would be Iraola's wild card call in which he could move Barcola behind Isak.
Barcola has played as a centre forward on over 20 occasions, bagging a respectable nine goals. It's not a huge sample size, but we know the winger likes to cut in and sometimes even take the ball on in central positions.
With a solid midfield four behind him, and with Wirtz and Ngumoha dominating supply lines down each flank, Barcola could be given the chance to form a deadly partnership with Isak, playing just off him in an unfamiliar, but potentially deadly, No. 10 role.