Iraola backs goalless Barcola to rediscover PSG form at Liverpool

Liverpool's record signing still searching for first goal

Bradley Barcola has made a slow start to life at Liverpool since his blockbuster move from Paris Saint-Germain, but head coach Andoni Iraola has no doubt the France international will soon come good.

Barcola joined the Reds in a deal that could eventually be worth £123m from PSG at the end of the transfer window. The France international played a key role in PSG's back-to-back Champions League triumphs, making 152 appearances following his move from Lyon in August 2023, scoring 39 goals and providing 35 assists.

However, he is yet to score or assist for Liverpool across his five appearances. Indeed, Barcola has only created two chances, while he has completed just one dribble, having attempted nine. Barcola also came under criticism for his displays for France in the recent international window, but Iraola is unconcerned.

"I don't think he's in a bad moment – the problem with wingers or strikers is if they don't score a goal, 'they haven't played well'," Iraola said of Barcola. "We have to see the games, we have to watch. I said it the first game against Atletico Madrid, he missed two or three quite clear chances. I don't care. Honestly.

"With the national team, I have seen he has had a couple of good situations to score; he hasn't scored, but I want him to be there."

Iraola also feels Barcola can play well in numerous positions across Liverpool's attacking line. "He is a top player for us. I think he can play in any position up front," Iraola said. "He probably has played more as a left winger but has played a little bit as a striker, has played even more as a right winger. I think he can cover the three positions up front. He's a super valuable player for us."

Context: forced off against Atletico

Barcola's Liverpool bow came in the Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid on September 9, 2026, a 2-1 win for the Reds. He was forced off after pulling up off the ball and was replaced by Jeremie Frimpong, with Iraola later confirming the winger had suffered cramp — a relief given Cody Gakpo was absent through injury. According to prior reporting from that fixture, Barcola had fired just wide following a counter-attack led by Florian Wirtz before his withdrawal.

The France forward will be aiming to break his Liverpool duck when the Reds host Manchester City on Sunday.