Bradley Barcola’s late move to Liverpool grabbed a lot of headlines.
Drawn-out negotiations between the Reds and PSG finally came to an end before deadline day as the French international became the second most expensive player in the club’s history.
Barcola made his debut with a late cameo against Ipswich Town and was handed a start a few days later vs Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
And while he didn’t get his name on the scoresheet, Andoni Iraola feels he is already developing a partnership with Florian Wirtz.
Barcola-Wirtz relationship budding at Liverpool
Against the Spanish giants in midweek, Wirtz and Barcola were involved in a brilliant passage of play in the second half which should have ended with a goal for the new signing.
However, he fluffed his lines in front of goal as his effort went marginally wide of the far post.
That said, the Anfield faithful will still take encouragement from that passage of play, as the two players combined beautifully.
And Iraola believes he is happy with the German international’s performances this season, pinpointing the budding synergy between him and Barcola.
Andoni Iraola on Florian Wirtz:
“There is an argument to make that the wingers have changed more than anywhere else. Now we have new weapons we can use with Bradley and Victor. With Florian, he is key for us. I am not worried because he will quickly learn where Victor prefers… pic.twitter.com/HGloqjNfRh
— AS1 (@Anfield_Sector) September 11, 2026
“There is an argument to make that the wingers have changed more than anywhere else.
“Now we have new weapons we can use with Bradley and Victor. With Florian, he is key for us. I am not worried because he will quickly learn where Victor prefers the ball or where Bradley prefers the ball.
“And, also, Bradley, in just his second game, you could see they already had a good association. I am not very worried.”
Barcola’s arrival could be what finally unlocks Wirtz at Anfield. Granted, he has had his moments after overcoming his slow start last season, but this is a player who can decide games on his own when he’s on song, and Liverpool will hope he reaches that level this season.
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