Alan Shearer has already been impressed by what he has seen from Bradley Barcola in a Liverpool shirt
Bradley Barcola of Liverpool during the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium
Bradley Barcola of Liverpool during the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium(Image: 2026 Jacques Feeney/Offside)
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Alan Shearer has backed Bradley Barcola to become a roaring success for Liverpool, but has told the France international what he needs to do to become a ‘complete’ player.
The 24-year-old joined the Reds from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of August following a summer-long transfer pursuit, eventually moving to Anfield in a deal worth up to £123m.
The forward has made five appearances for his new club to date, starting three times, but is yet to register a goal contribution.
Making his debut off the bench against Ipswich Town, he has since started against Atletico Madrid, Fulham and AFC Bournemouth while he also made a substitute appearance in the League Cup against Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s clash with the Cherries, Shearer revealed just how impressed he had been with Barcola when witnessing his full Premier League debut against the Cottagers.
However, he conceded the two-time Champions League winner needs to score more goals if he is to reach the next level.
“When Barcola started last week against Fulham I thought he was brilliant,” Shearer said. “There is no doubt he's got huge ability.
“He needs to add more goals to his game to be complete. But in terms of excitement and getting people off their seat, he'll do that in abundance.”
Shearer praised Barcola when previewing the Premier League’s latest round of fixtures for Betfair.
While Liverpool managed to record a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth, inflicting the Cherries with their first home defeat in 2026, Shearer had expected the hosts to emerge triumphant.
Meanwhile, the Reds proved the former England captain wrong further by keeping a third successive Premier League clean sheet - with Jeremy Jacquet picking up the man of the match award - after Shearer had hit out at their defensive capabilities.
“I think I'm going to go for home win, I am not convinced by Liverpool defensively and I like the way Bournemouth play and go after teams,” he said. “I think they'll do the same to Liverpool. So, I'm going to go home win.
“I think defensively Liverpool have yet to convince me. I know they drew at home last week 0-0 and were poor.
“Obviously, they won the game on Tuesday, scoring three. But I think defensively for me they've been really poor.
“And that's not just the back four. I think that's the midfield too as well in terms of lack of protection.”