Thierry Henry has picked out a weakness that Liverpool must address after Bradley Barcola signed for the Reds on Monday for a fee that could reach $166 million (£123 million)
Thierry Henry on air with Fox Sports.
Thierry Henry on air with Fox Sports.(Image: Frank Micelotta/FOX Sports via Getty Images)
Thierry Henry says Liverpool fans should get excited about the signing of Bradley Barcola for a fee that could reach $166 million (£123 million), though he has warned of a potential weakness.
Barcola arrives as a marquee addition for Andoni Iraola, who was desperate to bring in more quality in wide areas. In each of the last two seasons, the 23-year-old has won the Champions League and he is now eyeing a Premier League medal for his collection.
"Very excited," Henry said on Sky Sports Monday Night Football when asked if Liverpool fans should be enthused about the deal, which was officially confirmed earlier that day.
"It depends on how you are going to play. Are you going to be able to put him in one-vs-one situations? If you want to play on the counter, he is fast as hell.
"But are you going to make him defend way more than he is going to attack? That might not be something that is very suitable for him.
"Other than that, the last thing I will say, he needs to finish a tiny bit better. If he does that, a lot of teams will be in trouble."
New Liverpool signing Bradley Barcola at AXA Training Centre
New Liverpool signing Bradley Barcola at AXA Training Centre(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"I've been slightly critical of their business, but there is no doubt that he is a huge upgrade on what they have got in terms of left wing positions," Jamie Carragher said.
"On the right side, for me, it looks like Cody Gakpo is staying. He did great at the weekend, with a great cross for the goal, but it is not natural for him.
"You almost have to fudge the right side a little bit with Gakpo, Victor Munoz, Rio Ngumoha — they are not natural players for that side.
Content Image
Content Image
"But when you look at it as Barcola, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak as a three, that's three players who cost £100M and we are still not talking about this Liverpool team as a team that we think can win the league.
"The nature of how that squad has been put together, there is still more work to do, but the Premier League is lacking a little bit of stardust and Barcola should provide that."
Liverpool.com says: Barcola is a hugely exciting addition, but the Reds could ideally have done with bringing in another right winger, even if that meant losing Gakpo.
Iraola's team looks very good with everyone fit and the first XI on the field, but a few injuries and things could quickly get difficult.