Bradley Barcola has been backed to become a success at Liverpool provided he changes his game after £123m transfer from Paris Saint-Germain
Bradley Barcola of Liverpool
Bradley Barcola of Liverpool(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Bradley Barcola has been backed to offer Liverpool an attacking aspect they have been missing - but still may not be enough to earn Champions League qualification this season.
Barcola became potentially the second most expensive player in the Reds' history when signing last month from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee that could ultimately rise to £123million.
The France international winger made his first Premier League start in the dreadful goalless draw at home to Fulham on Saturday having made his debut as a substitute at Ipswich Town and then featuring in the XI for the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid last Wednesday.
And while believing Barcola will have to change his game to adapt to what Liverpool require, former France international Emmanuel Petit is confident the player can make a difference.
"Bradley Barcola needs to learn a different way of playing," he said. "Paris Saint-Germain play a very specific type of football. It’s in their DNA, how they respond to the position of the ball, everything is like an automation.
"Liverpool are different but Barcola will bring them something they have been missing for the last two seasons: a man capable of running with the ball, taking the space behind the defenders, trying to break through into the final third and get one on one at all times. That kind of player can be dangerous every time they touch the ball.
"Is Barcola going to play the same way he played for Paris Saint-Germain? No, because Liverpool don’t play the same way, but he will play with that same ability. The only question is whether he has the mental strength to cope with the price tag of his transfer. We will have to see on that."
Petit added: "He now has the chance to do that for Liverpool, and he needs to make an impact straight away. They cannot wait on him like Florian Wirtz or Alexander Isak.
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"I think Barcola is a player who will adapt very quickly to Liverpool. That’s what happened at Paris Saint-Germain when he left Lyon. It took him a couple of weeks but then he was showing his great ability."
Liverpool have dropped points in three of their four Premier League games this campaign having finished fifth last time around in defence of the title.
And speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest Premier League odds, Petit fears both the Reds and bitter North West rivals Manchester United are in for a season of struggle.
"Liverpool and Manchester United have no hope this season," he said. "They are conceding too many goals just like Chelsea but I was even less convinced about both clubs and what they did in the transfer market.
"They are both missing players and it’s hard to see how they can be favoured to finish in the top four, especially together. They may fight over that last place after Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea, but that place may go to another team."