Bradley Barcola set this season’s Premier League speed record while making his Liverpool debut, in a clear sign of things to come from the winger.
Barcola set a new top speed for the Premier League this season as he clocked a sprint of 22.3mph in Friday’s 2-0 win over Ipswich.
It broke the previous record set by Coventry right-back Milan van Ewijk (21.9mph), with Chelsea’s Pedro Neto (21.9mph), Brentford’s Kristoffer Ajer (21.8mph) and Bournemouth’s Rayan (21.8mph) making up the top five.
While Liverpool will be looking for a more tangible impact in terms of goals and assists in the coming weeks and months, it was an early demonstration of Barcola’s qualities.
Per FotMob, Liverpool’s fastest players so far this season are Barcola (22.3mph), Alexander Isak (21.6mph), Victor Munoz (21.6mph), Jeremie Frimpong (21.1mph) and Milos Kerkez (20.8mph).
Frimpong no longer appears to be a guaranteed first-choice starter after losing his place to Ronald Araujo against Ipswich.
But it shows the sheer pace at Iraola’s disposal, particularly in the wide areas which was the priority when Liverpool entered the summer transfer window.
Though it is a small sample size, in his cameo against Ipswich, Barcola made six sprints, which at a per-90 rate (20.8) is behind only Frimpong (24.6), Munoz (22.9) and Kerkez (21.5) for this season.
Over the course of last season, 15 Premier League players – including Frimpong – recorded a faster top speed than Barcola’s debut effort.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Bradley Barcola (R) waits to come on as Alexander Isak (L) is replaced by Ryan Gravenberch during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Bradley Barcola (R) waits to come on as Alexander Isak (L) is replaced by Ryan Gravenberch during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ibrahima Konate was the second-fastest for Liverpool last term with his top speed matching that of his countryman (22.3mph).
Barcola offers far more than just pace, with the £123 million signing a master in one-on-one situations who can both score and create at an elite level.
However, Iraola will relish the opportunity to unleash his speed out wide, with both the head coach and match-winner Isak emphasising the need to win the ball high up and play it quickly into the attackers.
That already showed as Liverpool looked to feed Barcola as soon as possible against Ipswich and will be a continued threat in the future.
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Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Chelsea FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Premier League – Chelsea FC v Liverpool FC
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 4, 2025: Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes during the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)