Did Liverpool really need Bradley Barcola? On a survey published on Skysports45% think he was the player to sign, while 55% believe Liverpool needed to strengthen in other positions. This is indeed the first question about this transfer which will reach €140 million with bonus, propelling the Frenchman as the biggest sale in the history of L1, just ahead of Bouaddi and Neymar.
As early as July, when it was clear that the Reds were targeting Barcola and the latter had given his preference, consultant Jamie Carragher had expressed doubts. “No, he plays on the opposite wing! », Reacted the former defender to a Skysports publication asking if Barcola could replace Salah. “LFC currently has three players capable of playing on the left – Rio Ngumoha, Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz – but no one to play on the right. (…) I am not convinced by this option. You absolutely need a right winger! »
Barcola better than the wingers already present?
English supporters are far from watching L1 and have not noticed that Barcola is indeed more sharp on the left wing. But by spending such an amount, it is hard to see Liverpool not fielding their rookie, and in their best position. The announced arrival of Barcola could therefore have a first consequence, with Cody Gakpo authorized to leave, even though he had started the season as a starter on the left flank. Tottenham and Manchester City are in the running.
Liverpool seemed to mainly need a starter on the right side, to replace Mohamed Salah, while this problem already appeared last season, when Slot put the Egyptian on the bench. Can Barcola finally become the custodian of the right lane? This will be one of the challenges of his first steps at Anfield. From a purely statistical point of view, if we compare Barcola’s season in Ligue 1 to that of his competitors on the wings (Gakpo, Wirtz, Munoz, Ngumoha, Chiesa), he has more goals than all, but fewer assists than Gakpo.
It does not solve the problem on the right side
When the agreement in principle between PSG and Liverpool was announced this Thursday morning, Jamie Carragher detailed his thoughts on this transfer. “He’s an excellent player, there’s no doubt about that; I would love to see Barcola in Liverpool. But for me, he’s a left winger. The big challenge for Liverpool, which is obvious at the moment, is to replace Mo Salah, a right winger. However, I don’t think that Liverpool have someone in their squad who is really comfortable in this right winger position. (…) That said, if you ask me if I want Barcola to come knowing that Liverpool will also recruit a right winger, then I would be delighted, because that would necessarily involve departures. It’s inevitable. But for now, I thought the goal this summer would be to replace Mo Salah. However, Barcola does not replace Mo Salah. »
Finally, a bit like last summer, when Liverpool spent colossal sums to recruit Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, this transfer does not necessarily solve the problems observed (lack of solution in central defense, full-backs who do not impose themselves). Bradley Barcola hasn’t really reached conquered territory, between those who don’t really know him yet and those who doubt the value of his recruitment at the moment. And given the adaptation difficulties encountered by the last two players purchased for more than €100 million, Isak and Wirtz, he will quickly have to convince.
