**The headline news from Anfield ahead of kick-off is that Bradley Barcola makes his first start for Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid.**
The French international is undoubtedly one of the most talented attackers in world football and will look to dazzle the home crowd with his brilliance today.
Barcola came on as a second-half substitute at Portman Road for his Liverpool debut and showed his class. He could have had an assist, but Cody Gakpo fluffed his lines for the Reds late in the game after being teed up by the 24-year-old.
And now, Andoni Iraola has explained why he chose to start Barcola so early in his Liverpool career.
Gakpo is unavailable today due to an adductor issue and should be back for the Premier League clash vs Fulham at the weekend.
And Iraola feels his decision to start Barcola in his place is warranted, as the Frenchman has already shown his class in training and in his brief cameo vs Ipswich.
“He’s not had the pre-season minutes but I like what I saw from him the other day,” said the Spaniard ahead of the game.
> Andoni Iraola on Bradley Barcola:
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> “He’s not had the pre-season minutes but I like what I saw from him the other day. He’s been training well so it’s a good game to put him in straight away. I don’t think he will play full game but we will see how he does. We need freshness,…