LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Bradley Barcola of Liverpool misses a shot during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 09, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola goes desperately close to marking his first appearance for Liverpool at Anfield with a goal in the 2-1 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid (Image: Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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It took just 10 minutes for the Anfield crowd to serenade home debutant Bradley Barcola against Atletico Madrid. Having waved off Mohamed Salah on a free transfer this summer, there is a vacancy to be the new darling of the Kop.
And the two-time Champions League winner is inevitably the favourite to fill it after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in an £123m deal on the eve of the transfer window closing.
Liverpool’s interest in the France international was long-standing, and they had to be patient to get their man. Following a lively full debut, Barcola must be wondering how he did not reward them with an instant return.
Twice he was denied at the near post by Jan Oblak in the first half, while he missed a glorious chance after the break when played in by Florian Wirtz. Racing clear on goal, he fired just wide across goal. He should have scored.
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Anfield expected him to score with supporters leaping up to celebrate, only to be left shocked by the outcome. But make no mistake, this is no Darwin Nunez 2.0.
With Cody Gakpo absent through injury, Barcola had looked set to start in his favoured left-wing position. Even when warming up, he was linking up with Milos Kerkez in training exercises.
But come kick-off, he was instead stationed on the right. The irony being if his three chances had come from the left-flank, he could have departed with a hat-trick - left free to open up his body and find the far corner with his stronger foot. So many times Salah had scored from the same positions when cutting in off the right.
Yet despite the misses, this was a very positive first start from Barcola. And one of the most exciting moments came when he linked up superbly with Wirtz and Alexander Isak when leading a Liverpool counter - only to see the former denied first by Jan Oblak and then by an offside flag against the latter.
This is part of the Reds’ plan. Rather than sign one man to replace the legendary Salah, they have instead turned to the collective. Isak, Barcola and Wirtz are expected to share the burden.
There might have been no full debut goal contribution from Barcola. But having waited so long to land their man, this early glimpse was enough to show the pieces are slowly falling into place.
Rio reality check
When Liverpool sanctioned the sale of Luis Diaz in the summer of 2024 without signing a natural successor, part of their thinking was to ensure Rio Ngumoha’s pathway to the first team was unblocked.
Fast-forward 12 months and the England international is now one of four left-wingers on the Reds’ books after the signings of Barcola and Victor Munoz and retention of Gakpo.
The 18-year-old Ngumoha was the rarest of bright sparks in a disappointing season last term, and finished the campaign as first choice. But he was always going to face greater competition this year.
Handed a start on the opening day against Newcastle United, the teenager admittedly put in a muted display on his unfavoured right-wing, before dropping to the bench against Nottingham Forest and remaining unused against Ipswich Town.
But with Gakpo ruled out through injury, Iraola opted to rotate on the wings against Atletico as Ngumoha joined Barcola in coming into the starting XI.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool FC is fouled by Marc Pubill of Atletico de Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 09, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool is fouled by Marc Pubill of Atletico Madrid during the Champions League clash at Anfield (Image: Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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And despite lining up on the right in Liverpool’s warm-up exercises, he was actually restored to his favoured left-wing role against the La Liga outfit.
It was an encouraging display from Ngumoha against physical opposition, earning early acclaim from the home crowd for his determination to get in behind and win a corner.
His best moment though came in the build-up to the Reds’ winner, leaving Marcos Llorente for dead only to see his shot blocked when cutting in from the left - with Alexis Mac Allister burying the rebound.
Withdrawn on the hour mark, admittedly not everything came off for Ngumoha. But it is important to remember he is still a rookie. This was his first Champions League start, while his 60 minutes on the pitch nearly matched his combined total (63 minutes) for the entirety of last season.
With Barcola limping off with cramp alongside him and Gakpo an injury doubt to face Fulham, he could be turned to again on Saturday. Further starting opportunities will come his way, no doubt, but he is still in his fledgling years and has to be managed accordingly.
Araujo delivers after Atletico deja vu
Kopites could be forgiven for feeling a sense of deja vu as Liverpool fell behind to Atletico. Once again, the Reds found themselves cursing Llorente.
The Spain international peeled off Kerkez with ease to get in behind the Liverpool defence and run onto Julian Alvarez’s through-ball. The 31-year-old now boasts five goals from just three visits to Anfield.
Yet there was something else very familiar about the Atletico opener, and not just the identity of the goalscorer.
Again the Reds trailed early, for the fifth time from Iraola’s first four games in charge. And like three of the five goals Liverpool have conceded this season, it came from a full-back being caught too far upfield. Such a record has to improve.
At least this time the Reds have a victory to show for their efforts after digging in deep to come from behind to win, following on from comeback draws with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. Perhaps Jurgen Klopp’s previously-christened mentality monsters are on their way back.
Meanwhile, were it not for another impressive performance from Ronald Araujo at right-back, perhaps supporters would have left Anfield rueing that Llorente had not been pursued as the solution to their previous full-back woes. If you can’t beat them, join them, after all. But fortunately the Barcelona loanee has stepped up to the plate in a previous problem position.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 9: Giuliano Simeone of Atletico Madrid and Ronald Araujo of Liverpool challenge 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, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Giuliano Simeone of Atletico Madrid and Ronald Araujo of Liverpool challenge during the Champions League match at Anfield on September 9, 2026(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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It was his eye-catching backheel that set up the Reds equaliser for Dominik Szoboszlai, while, once again, he was dominant defensively in his aerial battles.
Having seen the likes of Arsenal thrive by playing natural centre-backs in full-back positions, Liverpool are now enjoying similar joy themselves. If you can’t beat them, join them.
The Reds have not had much luck in recent years when it comes to loanees. But Araujo is well on his way to becoming a welcome exception.
Boasting a meagre £47m purchase option, such a fee is starting to look like a bargain if Liverpool do wish to sign the Uruguayan permanently. On the evidence so far, it would be a no-brainer.