Liverpool's Bradley Barcola looks on vs Ipswich Town
Liverpool's Bradley Barcola looks on vs Ipswich Town
Liverpool fans got their first taste of £123million man Bradley Barcola at Anfield on Wednesday evening after the Reds defeated Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Following such a long transfer pursuit of the French international, Liverpool finally confirmed the signing of the 24-year-old on the penultimate day of the summer window.
Barcola made his Reds bow off the bench in last Friday's 2-0 win at Ipswich Town, with the player handed his first start by Andoni Iraola in Wednesday's Champions League showdown against Atletico Madrid.
Lining up on the right of a three behind striker Alexander Isak, the new signing almost made it a home debut to remember with a goal at the Kop end.
Denied in the first half by Jan Oblak seconds before Dominik Szoboszlai levelled things up at 1-1, Barcola had a glorious opening to give the Reds the lead just after half-time.
Played through on goal by Florian Wirtz, the Kop held its breath as the attacker edged towards the box but he unfortunately put the ball narrowly wide of the post.
Barcola injury vs Atletico Madrid not serious
Liverpool attacker Bradley Barcola suffers from cramp against Atletico Madrid
Liverpool attacker Bradley Barcola suffers from cramp against Atletico Madrid
Barcola wasn't made to pay the ultimate price for his miss, however, as Alexis Mac Allister scored the winner a minute later.
Barcola's evening may have ended prematurely after going down with an issue, which Iraola later stated in his press conference was cramp, but his showing gave everyone an insight into just what he can offer the Reds in the years ahead.
Iraola certainly took a couple of things from the game, including Barcola getting into the right positions to score, although the finishing touch was missing.
The Spaniard said he was "very happy" and that it was "a good sign" that his player had two opportunities to score in the game.
Barcola's first Reds goal will no doubt come sooner rather than later, with the team having three games prior to the first international break of the 2026/27 season.
Hosting Fulham on Saturday evening, Liverpool are at home three days later against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and then they travel to Iraola's former club Bournemouth on Sunday, September 20.
Bradley Barcola's Liverpool home debut in numbers (via FotMob)
Minutes 60
Accurate passes 12/13
Shots on target 2
Shots off target 1
Big chances missed 3
Touches 23
Touches in opposition box 3
Passes into final third 1
Dispossessed 1
Iraola's verdict on Barcola's performance and early substitution
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai and manager Andoni Iraola look annoyed
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai and manager Andoni Iraola look annoyed
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Iraola was quizzed on his new signing and offered a positive update on the player's fitness despite making way on 60 minutes.
The boss also spoke about building Barcola's fitness and his performance on the whole after making his Anfield bow.
"No, it is cramp. It is just cramp, there is no injury," said the Spaniard. "With Bradley, it's about building his physical condition. We don't really know - or we didn't know until now, probably - how much he can play because he hasn't had any minutes in pre-season for PSG.
"He played 30 the other day [and] today we had some question marks, how many minutes he can give us and probably now we know.
"I'm very happy because also he has had two very clear chances against the keeper. He hasn't scored, but I want him there.
"There is where he has to make the difference, arriving to those spots, those positions, and I'm very happy because in - I don't know how many minutes he's played - two times against the keeper is a good sign with Bradley."
Liverpool's Milos Kerkez heads the ball
Liverpool's Milos Kerkez heads the ball