Liverpool’s Big Summer Puzzle: Should They Buy Bradley Barcola Even Though He Plays on the "Wrong" Wing?

The Quick Version (TL;DR)

Liverpool lost Mohamed Salah and desperately need a new right winger. They’re trying to sign Bradley Barcola from PSG — but he’s a left winger. He’s incredibly fast and exciting, but buying him means Liverpool would have FOUR left-wingers and zero natural right-wingers. The club might sign him anyway because he’s that good, hoping to figure out the position stuff later.

Why Is Liverpool Shopping for Wingers?

The Salah-Sized Hole

• Mohamed Salah left the club earlier this summer
• He played on the right wing for years and scored tons of goals
• The new season starts in less than a month
• Right wing is still empty

Plan A: Yan Diomande (Failed)

• Liverpool really liked Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig
• He was perfect: a natural right-winger who could play immediately ("plug-and-play")
• Plot twist: He’s heading to Real Madrid instead

Enter Bradley Barcola: The Shiny New Option

Who Is He?

• 23-year-old French winger playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
• One of Europe’s most exciting young attackers
• Price tag: PSG wants ~£145 million, Liverpool offering ~£100 million

The Problem: He’s a Lefty

• Barcola has played almost exclusively on the LEFT wing for 3 years at PSG
• Also plays left wing for France (including at the World Cup)
• His heat maps and stats all show he’s most dangerous cutting in from the left

Liverpool’s Current Left-Wing Collection

Important Callout: Liverpool would have FOUR players who all want to play on the left and ZERO natural right-wingers. That’s… not ideal.

But Wait — Here’s Why They Might Do It Anyway

1. He’s Insanely Fast

• 4th fastest player in Europe’s top 5 leagues last season
• Top speed: 32.7 km/h (20.3 mph) — that’s "chase-down-a-cheetah" territory
• Liverpool’s attack was slow and boring last season
• New coach Andoni Iraola wants "verticality" (fancy word for "running fast straight at the goal")

2. He Makes Defenses Panic

• Makes direct runs in behind defenders (not sideways, not backwards — straight at goal)
• These runs stretch the defense and create space for teammates like Florian Wirtz
• Targets the space between right-back and right-center-back — a sweet spot for assists

3. He Takes People On 1v1

• 1.85 take-ons per game (12th in Ligue 1)
• Success rate only 36.7% (18th in league) — but Iraola wants players to take risks
• His aggressive pressing system wins the ball back fast if the dribble fails

4. He Scores AND Creates

• Double-digit goals in Ligue 1 two seasons running
• Can finish, can pass, can create chances
• Liverpool’s top league scorer last season (Ekitike) only got 11 goals — that’s not enough

5. He’s Built for Counter-Attacks

• Liverpool launched 128 counter-attacks last season (most in Premier League)
• Barcola thrives in open spaces on the break
• Pre-season games show Iraola wants MORE of this

How Could This Actually Work? (The "Figure It Out Later" Plans)

Option A: Convert Barcola to Right Wing

• Iraola might think he can retrain Barcola to play on the right
• Not unprecedented — some wingers switch sides successfully
• High risk, high reward

Option B: The Kids Cover the Right Side

• Victor Munoz has some right-wing experience (731 minutes last season)
• Rio Ngumoha says he’s improving on the right and wants to be "unpredictable off both sides"
• Quote from Ngumoha: "On the right I feel like I’m improving and I’m getting better. So, yeah, definitely off the left and the right this season."

Option C: Tactical Shape-Shifting

• Modern football uses fluid formations
• Players rotate positions during games
• Barcola could start left, drift central, swap with Ngumoha/Munoz
• Confuses defenses!

The Market Reality Check

There simply aren’t many top-tier right-wingers available.

Barcola might be the "best available player" — even if he’s not the "perfect positional fit."

Summary: The Verdict

Bottom line: This feels like a "buy the talent, solve the puzzle later" move. Barcola is too good to pass up, and smart coaches find ways to play their best players — even if it means creative tactics.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Why doesn’t Liverpool just buy a right-winger instead?

Simple answer: There aren’t any good ones for sale. Diomande was THE guy, and Real Madrid snapped him up. The next-best options are either unproven teenagers or players their clubs won’t sell.

Can’t Barcola just play on the right with his "wrong" foot?

Yes, but it changes his game. "Inverted wingers" (left-footed on right, right-footed on left) cut inside onto their strong foot to shoot. Barcola can do this, but his BEST work — those blistering runs in behind — happens hugging the left touchline. He’d be less effective, at least initially.

Is £100 million too much for a player who doesn’t fill the exact position needed?

It’s a gamble. For context: that’s British transfer record territory. But elite 23-year-olds with World Cup experience and proven goal output almost NEVER hit the market. Liverpool’s owners (FSG) rarely spend this big — which signals they think he’s special.

What happens to Cody Gakpo if Barcola signs?

Great question. Gakpo had a mixed first full season. With Barcola + Ngumoha + Munoz all fighting for left-wing minutes, Gakpo might:

• Rotate heavily
• Move to a central role (he’s played false-9 before)
• Potentially leave if he wants guaranteed starts

When will we know if the deal happens?

Very soon. The season starts in ~3 weeks. The Athletic says an "opening bid" is imminent. PSG will likely play hardball. Expect drama right up to the transfer deadline!

Article based on reporting from The Athletic (James Pearce, July 29, 2026).