Bradley Barcola handed Liverpool an injury concern as he was forced off on his first start for the club during the Champions League game against Atletico Madrid
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 9: Bradley Barcola of Liverpool down injured during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 9, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola was forced off injured for Liverpool against Atletico Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola has raised a fresh injury concern for Liverpool after the Reds' new signing was forced off during his first Anfield start for the club.
The $167 million signing from Paris Saint-Germain, who completed his move to Merseyside just last week, was handed his first start by Andoni Iraola as Liverpool kicked off its Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Barcola though went down just after the hour mark, causing his teammates to look worried as he rubbed his calf, with Iraola taking the decision to replace him with Jeremie Frimpong, with Victor Munoz also replacing Rio Ngumoha at the same time.
The French international made his first start as Cody Gakpo missed out, having picked up a knock during Friday's win over Ipswich, with Iraola choosing not to risk him but suggesting he could return against Fulham at the weekend.
And he may be needed after Barcola limped off against Atletico. The 24-year-old was able to walk off the pitch, which may come as some encouragement to Liverpool that the problem might not be too serious, but there will be an obvious concern so soon after his signing.
Bradley Barcola of Liverpool FC prior to the UEFA Champions League match against Atletico Madrid
Bradley Barcola makes his full Liverpool debut against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League(Image: Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Speaking before the game, Iraola admitted the winger would be unlikely to play the full 90 minutes, having not played any minutes for PSG before his eventual arrival at Anfield.
“I think it’s true that he hasn’t had the pre-season minutes, but I like what I saw from him the other day," Iraola told TNT Sports.
“I think he’s been training well, so I think it was a good game to put him in straight away. I don’t think he can probably finish the game, we’ll see how he does, but we need some freshness, and I think especially outside with Rio and Bradley, we can have these difference-makers.”
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Liverpool.com says: Fingers crossed that just proves to be cramp for Barcola, and that it just accelerated Iraola's plans to change him in any case.
Liverpool certainly doesn't want to be facing up to another big-money signing having injury problems after missing out on a proper pre-season. Barcola did at least train with PSG, unlike Alexander Isak at Newcastle last year, but this is a reminder that he needs to be eased into the mix with the Reds.