11
Barcola to Liverpool: Pricey Fix for Their Fatal Flaw?
Liverpool’s Big Summer Puzzle: Why They’re Chasing a Left-Winger to Fix Their Right Side
The Situation: A Gaping Hole on the Right Wing
Imagine your favorite video game team just lost its star striker. That’s basically what happened to Liverpool this summer. Mohamed Salah left the club, leaving a massive empty spot on the right wing. With the new season starting in less than a month, that spot is still empty.
Liverpool’s new head coach, Andoni Iraola, has been crystal clear: they need a winger, and they need one now.
The Search So Far: Plan A Didn’t Work
1. First Choice: Yan Diomande
- Who: Young star from RB Leipzig
- Why perfect: Naturally plays on the right, ready to plug in immediately
- What happened: Real Madrid snapped him up before Liverpool could act
2. Plan B: Bradley Barcola
- Who: 23-year-old French superstar at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
- Status: Liverpool are preparing an opening bid
- Price tag: PSG wants £145 million | Liverpool hoping for closer to £100 million
Important Context: Barcola is one of Europe’s brightest young talents. He’s played for France at the World Cup and has been PSG’s main left-winger for three years.
The Twist: He’s a Lefty Playing on the Left
Here’s where it gets interesting (and a little confusing):
| Player | Preferred Foot | Best Position |
|---|---|---|
| Bradley Barcola | Right footed | Left Wing |
| Cody Gakpo | Right footed | Left Wing |
| Rio Ngumoha | Left footed | Left Wing |
| Victor Munoz | Right footed | Left Wing (mostly) |
If Liverpool signs Barcola, they’d have FOUR players who all prefer the left side. Zero natural right-wingers.
Why They Want Him Anyway: Speed Kills
Despite the position mismatch, Barcola brings something Liverpool desperately lacked last season: pure, terrifying speed.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
- Top Speed: 32.7 km/h (20.3 mph)
- Ranking: 4th fastest in Europe’s top 5 leagues last season
- Style: Makes direct, diagonal runs behind defenses
- Impact: Stretches the pitch, creates space for teammates like Florian Wirtz
Think of it like this: Last year Liverpool’s attack was a slow, careful board game. Barcola turns it into a track meet.
What "Verticality" Means (And Why Iraola Obsesses Over It)
Verticality = Playing forward fast. Not sideways. Not backwards. Straight toward the goal.
| Last Season (Slot) | Iraola’s Vision |
|---|---|
| Slow, patient passing | Lightning counter-attacks |
| Wingers come inside | Wingers sprint behind defense |
| 11 goals from main striker (Ekitike) | Multiple goal threats |
Barcola is built for verticality:
- Off-ball runs: Constantly attacks the space between right-back and center-back
- Dribbling: 1.85 take-ons per game (top 12 in France)
- Risk-taking: 36.7% dribble success — low, but Iraola WANTS risks
- Counter-attacks: Liverpool led the Premier League with 128 last year — Barcola thrives in open space
The Goal Threat: He Actually Scores
Unlike some speedsters who just run fast, Barcola puts the ball in the net:
- Double-digit league goals in each of the last two seasons
- Can create and finish
- Liverpool’s top scorer last year (Ekitike) had just 11 league goals — Barcola would instantly raise that ceiling
The "Figure It Out Later" Theory
So how does this work with four left-wingers?
Option 1: Convert Barcola to the Right
- Iraola has a track record of developing players
- Barcola’s skillset (cutting inside onto strong foot) could translate
Option 2: Rotate the Squad
| Right Wing Options | Left Wing Options |
|---|---|
| Victor Munoz | Bradley Barcola |
| Rio Ngumoha | Cody Gakpo |
| (Ngumoha says he’s improving on the right) | Rio Ngumoha |
Option 3: Tactical Flexibility
- Switch formations mid-game
- Use width from full-backs (Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson)
- Overload one side, then switch play
The Athletic’s Verdict: "This feels like one of those cases of getting the deal done first and trusting that you can figure the rest out later."
Summary: The Bottom Line
| Barcola Solves | Barcola Doesn’t Solve |
|---|---|
| Lack of elite speed | Natural right-winger gap |
| Predictable, slow attack | Positional imbalance (4 lefties) |
| Low goal output from wings | Defensive work rate questions |
| Need for verticality | £100m+ price tag risk |
Final Thought: In a market with zero top-tier right-wingers available, Barcola’s talent is too rare to ignore. Even if he’s not the perfect puzzle piece, a player this good makes the whole picture better.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Why didn’t Liverpool just buy a right-winger?
Simple answer: There aren’t any available at Barcola’s level. The only one (Diomande) went to Real Madrid. Every other option is either unproven, too expensive, or not for sale.
Can Barcola actually play on the right?
He’s right-footed, which helps (cutting inside onto his strong foot). But he’s played 90% of his career on the left. It would be a position change — not impossible, but an adjustment.
Is £100m too much for a player who might not fit the position?
For a 23-year-old World Cup winner with elite speed and proven goal output? Market says no. Top attackers cost £100m+. Liverpool’s owners (FSG) have shown they’ll pay for transformative talent.
What about Rio Ngumoha? He scored in pre-season!
Ngumoha (18) is incredibly exciting and says he wants to play both wings. But asking a teenager to start 50+ games on the "wrong" side is risky. Barcola provides insurance and star power.
When will we know if the deal happens?
Liverpool’s opening bid is imminent. PSG will likely reject the first offer. Negotiations could take 2-3 weeks. The transfer window closes August 30th — so expect drama right up to the deadline.
Want to stay updated? Follow The Athletic’s Liverpool coverage for the latest on Barcola, Ngumoha’s development, and Iraola’s master plan.
