Liverpool’s strongest XI to face Ipswich after £120million Bradley Barcola arrival

Liverpool finally landed Bradley Barcola after a pursuit that lasted most of the summer.

New manager Andoni Iraola admitted £123m Barcola was their priority all window, but questions still remain whether they have the squad to challenge for the Premier League.

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It has been a summer of change at Anfield with Arne Slot being sacked and Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all leaving for free.

Curtis Jones also moved to Inter Milan in a deal worth £30m.  

It was never going to be a repeat of the £415m spending spree of 12 months ago, but Barcola was still a sign of intent.

Andoni Iraola on Barcola

“We are very happy with Bradley. It was our priority, I would say, to sign a very, very good player in that position,” Iraola told reporters. 

“I think he has come also with the right mentality. 

“I’ve liked from him that he wanted Liverpool a lot. He just wanted to come here. That’s a good first sign.

“Being the player that he is and the things that he has won recently, I think he has come also with the willingness to help us. I’m very happy with him.

“He trained well with us. If everything goes well in today’s training, he will definitely be available tomorrow.”

Liverpool play Ipswich on Friday night with live commentary on talkSPORT.

Barcola turned 24 this month and still has the best years of his career ahead of him.

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Journalist Julian Laurens told talkSPORT: “£120m is a lot. It’s a lot if he doesn’t work out like Wirtz and Isak so far. It’s not that much if Barcola helps you get in the Champions League or the title.

“Time will tell if you’ve overpaid or if you paid the right price or if you’ve underpaid. There’s an amazing player there. We’ve seen it in the last two seasons, especially in Paris.

“There’s work to do in his finishing, in his decision-making at times and his end product.

“I think the sky is the limit because he’s got so much pace, so much skill. 

“He’s learned a lot in recent weeks, especially in terms of work ethic and work out of possession in his pressing and counter-pressing.

“He will fit Iraola’s style so well. Can he make the step up between Ligue 1 and the Premier League and how long will that take?”

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Liverpool squad questions

Barcola along with Victor Munoz, Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo (on loan) were the four players who joined this summer.

Though major question marks remain over their depth to compete for the title.

They are particularly short on the right hand side with Mo Salah leaving and Jeremie Frimpong’s ongoing struggles.

There were reports that Liverpool attempted to sign Malo Gusto from Chelsea on deadline day.

talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook said: “They do look a bit unbalanced with a number of players who want to operate particularly off the left-hand side.

“There’s also no real cover for Frimpong at full-back with Conor Bradley still injured.”

Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor also told talkSPORT: “I don’t think they’ve replaced centre midfielders as well as they could have.

“I also look at Wirtz and Isak. They were better on the weekend but still need to get their level up.

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“I don’t see that squad of players challenging at all.”

Liverpool line-up to face Ipswich

Barcola has predominantly played on the left for Paris Saint-Germain and is likely to take that role in a full strength Liverpool side.

The right is a little trickier, with Cody Gakpo, Munoz and Rio Ngumoha all competing for that position.

Gakpo, who stayed at Liverpool despite transfer interest from Man City and Tottenham, has started the season most in form with a goal and an assist in the first two Premier League games of the season.

Alexander Isak remains their top striker, until Hugo Ekitike returns from injury in 2027. Florian Wirtz fills the No.10 role just behind them.

In defence, the back four picks itself with Virgil van Dijk, Jacquet, Frimpong and Milos Kerkez all starting.