Liverpool are dead set on landing Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, pushing hard as they look for some offensive punch. Reports from journalist Florian Plettenberg say the Reds are poised to miss out on Yan Diomande, and that’s why all their focus is now on the dainty French international winger. Expect a bid soon.
Barcola’s Upside: Stats Tell a Story, But There Are Questions
Liverpool needs a replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right, and while Barcola isn’t a direct copy of Salah, he broke out playing on that flank. He’s seen his playing time drop, so he’d jump at the chance to be a key player again. Last season, Barcola still put up 13 goals and seven assists across 47 appearances in all competitions. Sure, he’s been called out for missing big chances, but that just means he’s getting himself into prime scoring positions. You can’t argue with a player who consistently finds those spots; that’s a massive underlying sign of quality. If he lands at Merseyside, Barcola would be battling for playing time with Rio Ngumoha, Victor Munoz, Federico Chiesa, and Cody Gakpo, but he’s got to back himself to nail down a starting spot on either wing in Andoni Iraola’s attack. The guy is “very fast,” and that’s exactly what Liverpool needs.
Beyond Barcola: More Holes Than Just the Attack
Interestingly, Liverpool and the French champions are also both chasing Maghnes Akliouche, but it looks like the Champions League winners will scoop him up. That’s a tough break, especially with other glaring needs. While strengthening the attack is clearly a priority, it’s far from the only one for Andoni Iraola’s squad. A specialist holding midfielder is a huge need; it would seriously free up the more advanced midfielders to shine. Plus, another right-back should be high on the agenda. Conor Bradley is out, and Jeremie Frimpong is apparently struggling in England, so quality and depth there are crucial. And let’s not forget a new center-back wouldn’t hurt either as Liverpool tries to build a roster capable of challenging on every front.
Andoni Iraola needs a squad ready to challenge, and with all these holes, there’s a ton riding on these next moves to get it right.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply