Andoni Iraola has outlined his plan for Bradley Barcola and explained why the former Paris Saint-Germain forward still needs time to adapt after signing for the Reds earlier this summer
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has reacted to the Fulham draw
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has reacted to the Fulham draw(Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola says Bradley Barcola will play on both flanks for Liverpool this season, just like the rest of the wingers that he has at his disposal.
But the Reds will need to improve substantially in the final third after a disappointing goalless draw with Fulham on Saturday, in which Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz were not brought into the game enough.
"I think I said it a lot of times, we have four wingers," Iraola said post-match at Anfield. "Probably before the season, everyone would say we had more left-wingers than right-wingers because they've played more there. But all the wingers will play on the right and play on the left, depending on the match-ups, depending where we think they are going to be more dangerous.
"It depends sometimes on the defensive demands, depending what we feel, what we analyze.
"I think Bradley, I think everyone — the four of them — have already played both sides and it is going to be all the season like this."
On Barcola specifically, Iraola is still working to get the best out of the 24-year-old following his $169 million (£123 million) transfer move from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Bradley Barcola started Saturday's game
Bradley Barcola started Saturday's game
This was his first league start, following on from his first start for Liverpool against Atletico Madrid earlier in the week.
"I think with Bradley we are also building his physical condition because he hasn't had any minutes in pre-season," Iraola added.
"I think there is a good part where today he played, I think, a little bit more even than three days ago against Atletico Madrid. He had a good chance [at the] second post; they blocked the shot but he arrived well.
"Probably we know he has more, but now it's about giving him the minutes, keep building his confidence, and he's a player that is going to give us more."
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Liverpool hosts Tottenham next in the Carabao Cup. The Reds then travel to Bournemouth next weekend before the first international break of the season.
Liverpool.com says: Barcola, at this stage, was always going to look like he needed time. He needs to get up to speed with his fitness and also get used to those around him.
The bigger worry is the lack of Wirtz's influence in the final third, or any major chances for Isak. Without the front two firing, things are not going to be smooth over the coming months.