Andoni Iraola has hinted he could turn to one of wingers to play up front against Manchester City in place of Alexander Isak, with Bradley Barcola potentially in the frame
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Andoni Iraola, Manager of Liverpool, speaks to Bradley Barcola during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Fulham at Anfield on September 12, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has hinted Bradley Barcola could play up front for Liverpool against Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola has suggested he won't be deployed as a stand-in for Alexander Isak when Liverpool hosts Premier League rule-breakers Manchester City on Sunday.
The Reds will be missing leading goalscorer Isak for the high-profile clash, with the forward having not recovered from a thigh problem picked up while representing Sweden on international duty a fortnight ago.
With the impressive Cody Gakpo also sidelined by an ankle knock sustained while on duty with the Netherlands and Hugo Ekitike still working his way back from a lengthy Achilles setback, Andoni Iraola finds himself without his three primary striking options against league leaders City.
The Liverpool manager could give 21-year-old Wales international forward Lewis Koumas his maiden Premier League start, while Florian Wirtz represents another possibility operating as a false nine.
And while Iraola has also discussed the prospect of deploying one of his wide men through the middle, Barcola - a $163 million (£123M) summer signing from Paris Saint-Germain - has disclosed that the Reds manager hasn't yet requested anything beyond his usual duties out wide, reports the Liverpool Echo.
"No, not more than that," said the France international. "He asks me to do what I can do, to play as usual, so I can play on the left and on the right.
Google Preferred Source Badge
Google Preferred Source Badge
Bradley Barcola of Liverpool
Bradley Barcola has suggested he won't replace Alexander Isak up front(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"It's true that I prefer to play on the left, but it doesn't bother me to play on the right, so there's no problem with that and I try to be ready to play left or right.
"I think it's going to be a very tough match, because Manchester City are a very good team. We'll be playing at home with all our fans, so I think we have that advantage and we know they'll be behind us.
"It's going to be tough, but we'll be ready. They haven't lost games, but we haven't lost any games either."
The fixture is the first of nine matches across 29 days for Liverpool ahead of next month's international break, with Barcola acknowledging the significance of building early momentum during such a demanding spell.
Content Image
Content Image
"It's going to be the game that's going to launch us in the series of games we're going to have," he said. "If we manage to win this game, it's going to be very good for the future."
Barcola is yet to register a goal or assist in five Liverpool appearances, three of which have been starts. Nevertheless, the French international remains confident he is gradually adjusting to the distinctive challenges of Premier League football.
Speaking to LiverpoolFC.com, he said: "Yes, I feel comfortable. At the beginning, I had to adapt and now I feel that I'm adapting more and more. So, I'm very happy to start ahead and I hope to be even better on the pitch.
"I think it's very intense (in the Premier League). It's very different from Ligue 1. But yes, you have to work hard to be ready for a lot of running and that's what I try to do in training to be prepared for every match."