There was one part of Bradley Barcola’s performance against Atlético Madrid that should really excite Liverpool supporters.
He was getting into the right positions.
The £123 million signing didn’t score on his full Liverpool debut in the Champions League, but Andoni Iraola wasn’t disappointed.
In fact, the Liverpool manager was encouraged by what he saw.
Speaking after Liverpool’s 2-1 comeback victory over Atlético, Iraola confirmed that Barcola had no injury and that his substitution was about managing his physical condition.
“No injury, with Bradley it’s about building his physical condition.”
That is important because Barcola has had to gradually build himself up since arriving at Liverpool without a full pre-season with his new teammates.
And there was another part of Iraola’s assessment that really caught my attention.
Iraola wants Barcola in the box
The Liverpool manager revealed that Barcola had two clear chances in front of goal.
He didn’t take either of them.
But Iraola didn’t seem particularly concerned.
Instead, he was delighted that his new winger was finding those positions.
“That’s where he has to make the difference, arriving in the box.”
For me, that’s exactly what Liverpool supporters want to hear.
Barcola doesn’t need to spend the entire game hugging the touchline.
We already know he has incredible pace and the ability to beat defenders.
What could make him genuinely devastating is combining that explosiveness with intelligent movement inside the penalty area.
The goals will come
Barcola’s first big chances will inevitably be scrutinised because of the enormous transfer fee Liverpool paid for him.
That’s understandable.
But I wouldn’t be worried about him failing to score against Atlético.
He was getting into dangerous positions.
He was making the runs.
He was receiving the ball in areas where he could hurt Atlético.
And he was getting chances.
That’s the difficult part.
The finishing can improve.
The confidence will grow.
And as Barcola becomes fitter and more accustomed to Liverpool’s system, those opportunities should start turning into goals.
This is exactly why Liverpool signed him
Liverpool didn’t spend that kind of money on Barcola simply because he is quick.
They signed him because he can change games.
He can stretch a defence.
He can attack space.
He can beat a full-back.
And, as Iraola highlighted, he can arrive inside the box.
That final quality could be particularly important for Alexander Isak.
Liverpool need more players capable of creating danger around their £125 million striker rather than leaving him isolated.
We’ve already seen Cody Gakpo provide excellent service from the left this season.
Now Liverpool need Barcola to bring that threat from the other side.
But let’s be patient
This is the part supporters need to remember.
Barcola is still getting up to speed.
Iraola effectively confirmed that the club are still learning how much football he can handle at this stage.
That’s completely normal.
He has joined a new club, moved into a new league and is adapting to a new manager and new teammates.
He also made his first Champions League start for Liverpool against one of Europe’s most experienced sides.
There is absolutely no reason to expect him to be at his peak already.
And that makes Iraola’s comments even more encouraging.
Iraola liked what he saw
The most important sentence from Iraola wasn’t about Barcola’s fitness.
It was this:
“I want him there.”
The manager wants his new winger arriving in the box.
He wants him in those dangerous positions.
He wants him close enough to goal to make a difference.
And Barcola is already showing that he can get there.
That is a very good starting point.
The goals will come
Barcola may have left the pitch against Atlético without a goal.
But I don’t think Liverpool supporters should see that as a disappointment.
Instead, look at the bigger picture.
Two clear chances.
Dangerous positions.
Explosive movement.
No serious injury.
And, most importantly, a manager who clearly believes his new signing is doing something very important.
Iraola wants Barcola in the box.
If he keeps getting there, the goals are coming.
And when they do, Liverpool may finally see exactly why they were prepared to spend so much money on him.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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