Andoni Iraola gives update on Bradley Barcola injury as Liverpool fans hold breath on £123m man

Andoni Iraola has assured Liverpool fans that Bradley Barcola coming off during their 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid was just a bout of cramp.

The French winger, who joined the Reds for an initial £106million rising to £123m this summer, went down just before the hour mark in the Champions League clash at Anfield on Wednesday night.

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Barcola appeared in some discomfort and rubbed his left calf while receiving medical treatment.

He was then substituted, with Jeremie Frimpong coming on in his place.

Andoni Iraola provides update on Bradley Barcola injury

However, in a major boost, Reds boss Iraola insisted there was no serious issue with Barcola.

“It’s just cramps, especially with Bradley,” Iraola said.

“We are kind of rushing him as we haven’t had him in pre-season.”

The Champions League fixture marked Barcola’s first start for Liverpool, having made his Premier League debut courtesy of a 26-minute cameo off the bench last Friday against Ipswich Town.

Barcola’s injury came just minutes after he missed a golden chance to put Liverpool in the lead.

The French flyer was slipped in via a perfect through-ball from Florian Wirtz and raced clear towards goal, but he fired his effort wide of the post.

Luckily for Barcola, Alexis Mac Allister would not have such worries just minutes later.

The midfielder, who recently confirmed Liverpool did not intend to offer him a new contract, let rip with a thunderous left-footed strike from just outside the box to put the hosts in the lead.

Getty

Getty

Marcos Llorente opened the scoring in the 17th minute when he ghosted past Milos Kerkez and fizzed a driven effort past Alisson.

It was the tenth goal of Llorente’s career in the competition.

Remarkably, five of those have been scored against Liverpool, all of which have come at Anfield.

It took Liverpool until the 40th minute to equalise, with Dominik Szoboszlai the man to bring the scores level.

However, most of the plaudits for the equaliser went to Ronald Araujo as he nutmegged an Atleti defender with a deft flick that went straight to Szoboszlai, who then stroked the ball past Jan Oblak.

Frimpong then thought he doubled Liverpool’s advantage just before second-half stoppage time when he scored on the rebound from close range.

However, it was immediately ruled out for offside, with replays confirming the on-field decision.

Liverpool’s next outing sees them entertain Fulham on Saturday with their next Champions League game away at Austrian side LASK on October 14.