Bradley Barcola has been tipped to make a big impact for Liverpool against Crystal Palace this weekend after Jamie Carragher was criticical of the decision to play him as a striker
Liverpool forward Bradley Barcola.
Liverpool forward Bradley Barcola.(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola views Bradley Barcola as a winger rather than a striker, and it would be fair to say that the experiment that saw him deployed as a number nine in the Champions League didn't work.
The Liverpool boss outlined on Friday that Barcola had played the role for PSG in the past and he wanted to try it against Fenerbahce, but the anticipated spaces in behind the Turkish side's defense simply didn't materialize.
Reds legend Jamie Carragher was also critical of Barcola's start since arriving at Anfield, suggesting that it should be a concern that Rio Ngumoha is playing better than the Frenchman given how much he cost.
"I think what it reinforces for the supporters is that the squad Liverpool has got is very expensive but not as good as it should be, and not as balanced as it should be," Carragher said on CBS Sports.
"And when you think of some of those players that have come in, what’s a little worry for, not so much the manager, but the people who run the club.
"I spoke about Trey Nyoni being the best player for Liverpool. Well, him and Ngumoha, another young player, were the best players for Liverpool and they were a week or so ago against Chelsea.
Istanbul, Türkiye - November 4: Bradley Barcola of Liverpool FC looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2026/2027 match between Fenerbahçe and Liverpool at Fenerbahçe Sükrü Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on November 4, 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Photo by Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola looks dejected during the Champions League match Fenerbahçe and Liverpool at Fenerbahce on Wednesday (Image: Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
"But they also play in the position of players where Liverpool have spent big money. So Barcola has come in for £120M; he played up front and didn’t play well, but the younger players are playing better than him."
This weekend, Barcola will hope to impress against Crystal Palace in the Premier League. And he has been backed to score by one pundit, Chris Sutton, who is expecting a Liverpool win at Selhurst Park.
"Liverpool won't change the way they play under Iraola, so they will try to be aggressive with their press but are likely to be left open again if Palace get past it," Sutton writes for BBC Sport.
"I don't see that happening this time, though, mostly because Palace have been so poor.
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"Liverpool were leaky against Fenerbahce, but I am going for them to keep a clean sheet here and get a sneaky away win, with Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola getting their goals."
Liverpool.com says: Getting a win at Selhurst Park would be a good way to end the period between the international breaks. So far, Liverpool has lost to the teams it would have expected to, Fenerbahce aside, so getting back on track quickly will be important.
Barcola is still settling at Anfield, but there should be some spaces for him to run into here. With Isak in good form, there has to be a good chance of Liverpool getting the win.