Bradley Barcola Could Make Liverpool Debut Just Days After £123m Blockbuster Transfer

Liverpool could waste little time throwing Bradley Barcola into the action, with new boss Andoni Iraola backing the club’s £123million signing to make his debut against Ipswich on Friday night.

Barcola became Liverpool’s marquee arrival of the summer after finally completing his move from PSG following months of negotiations. The French forward’s transfer brings an end to a long pursuit that at one stage appeared destined to fail because of PSG’s huge valuation.

Instead, Liverpool reached an agreement to land the 24-year-old, making Barcola the third player worth more than £100million to move to Merseyside across the last two summers.

And Iraola has already suggested he could be ready to see his newest attacking option in competitive action almost immediately.

Iraola gives Barcola green light

Barcola had been absent from PSG’s squad during the uncertainty surrounding his future, but Iraola believes a successful training session could put him in contention for Friday’s trip to Ipswich.

The Liverpool boss is particularly encouraged by the player’s attitude and his determination to make the move to Anfield.

“We are very happy with Bradley, it was our priority to sign a very very good player in those positions. He has come also with the right mentality,” Iraola said.

“I like that he wanted Liverpool a lot. He wanted to come here.

“It’s a good first sign and being the player he is he has come with the willingness to help us. He is playing well for us and if everything goes well in training today he will definitely be available for us tomorrow.”

That means Barcola could find himself involved just days after completing one of the biggest transfers in Liverpool’s recent history.

Champions League winner arrives with pedigree

Barcola joins Liverpool after helping PSG retain the Champions League crown, with the French club becoming only the second team in history to achieve that feat.

The forward scored 13 goals last season, including a memorable effort against Chelsea in west London, and arrives with the expectation of adding another attacking dimension to Iraola’s side.

Liverpool are still searching for their first victory of the season after consecutive 2-2 draws, increasing the pressure on their new-look attack to start delivering.

Barcola’s arrival, however, creates an entirely different problem for Iraola: deciding who misses out.

Liverpool face selection dilemma

The Frenchman’s introduction gives Iraola another major attacking option at a time when Liverpool are already trying to get the best from Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.

Both players have underwhelmed since arriving but have continued to command starting places, leaving the manager with some difficult decisions as competition for positions intensifies.

Barcola’s potential debut could come at the expense of Cody Gakpo or teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha.

Gakpo scored during Liverpool’s draw at Newcastle, while his proposed departure from Anfield was ultimately curtailed. Ngumoha, meanwhile, is pushing for more opportunities after making an impression despite his young age.

Victor Munoz also faces a battle for his place after scoring last week. With so many attacking options now available, the summer signing could find himself beginning Friday’s match on the bench.

For Barcola, though, the immediate priority is far simpler: impress in training and earn the chance to begin his Liverpool career almost as soon as he arrived.