REUTERS/David Klein
There was great anticipation as Bradley Barcola made his debut for Liverpool on Friday. The winger came off the bench as his new team cruised to a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town.
The Frenchman arrived from Paris Saint-Germain towards the end of the summer transfer window, with the Reds agreeing to pay a sizable fee which could rise to £123m. Just 24 years of age, big things are now expected of the winger who was also linked with Arsenal.
He didn't have the busiest of debuts, but his appearance has still sparked plenty of chatter. What's more, it now turns out that he set a Premier League record for 2026/27 in his 26-minute cameo.
Liverpool's Bradley Barcola looks on vs Ipswich Town
Liverpool's Bradley Barcola looks on vs Ipswich Town
Barcola Makes Rapid Impact on Debut
REUTERS/David Klein
Barcola managed just 12 touches after coming on for Victor Munoz in the 64th minute. He didn't get off a shot or complete any dribbles, as per SofaScore, but he did manage to do one very impressive thing,
Indeed, the lightning-quick winger set the record as the fastest player in the Premier League so far for 2026/27. As per Rousing the Kop, the Frenchman hit a top speed of 35.9km/h vs Ipswich.
No player has been quicker this term, with Coventry City and Chelsea stars Milan van Ewijk and Pedro Neto (35.3 km/h) just a little slower, and the Bournemouth and Brentford duo Rayan and Kristoffer Ajer (35.1 km/h) making up the top five.
Interestingly enough, Munoz - the man Barcola came on for – sits inside the top 11 in the Premier League so far, having hit 34.8km/h. Alexander Isak also recorded the same speed during the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Premier League Top Speeds (2026/27)
Bradley Barcola - 35.9 km/h
Milan van Ewijk - 35.3 km/h
Pedro Neto - 35.3 km/h
Rayan - 35.1 km/h
Kristoffer Ajer - 35.1 km/h
Luis Enrique and Andoni Iraola Drop Barcola Verdict
Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique talking during a press conference
After the transfer, Luis Enrique spoke about how the exit is good for everyone involved. The player's former manager at PSG explained: “He wanted more playing time than I could guarantee him. In the end, I think everyone is a winner with that transfer. I truly wish him all the best."
Speaking to the press after the game, new manager Andoni Iraola certainly seem happy with what he's seen so far. He said: “Bradley hadn’t played a single minute since the World Cup so we needed to be careful. I think he is training well, in a good place, and I think that he has helped us.
“Probably, we haven’t found him in a couple of situations where I think he was going against the ‘keeper, but we haven’t really seen his movements.
“And also he has had a very good counter, very good passing side that I think Cody finished, but we didn’t score. But he was always a threat, you know? When he carries the ball, I think you can feel this threat.
"And I’m happy because I think 30 minutes is going to be good for his fitness, for his buildup, and we will continue because now we play a lot of games, so he will have a chance to play more.”
Liverpool Premier League Fixtures