Liverpool are looking for their Mohamed Salah replacement this summer, but have so far endured a relatively quiet transfer window.
The Reds are currently in the middle of their pre-season tour in the USA, earning a 1-0 win in a friendly against Wrexham on Wednesday evening.
New manager Andoni Iraola will lead his squad into the season with the intention of turning around what has been a turbulent 12 months for the club, and there will be high expectations to improve things on and off the pitch.
Recruitment will be a major factor in Iraola’s ability to get the very best out of his side next season, and the next few weeks will be crucial as the countdown to the new campaign continues.
What’s the latest on Liverpool transfer news?
It is no secret that Liverpool’s top target to replace Salah is Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola, and it has been reported this week that the club are preparing their opening bid.
It has been widely reported that the Champions League winners value their winger at an eye-watering £145m this summer after an encouraging World Cup campaign with France.
With so much speculation surrounding the move, Sky Sports News have spoken to pundit and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher about the potential signing.
Carragher told Sky Sports News:
“He’s a great player, there’s no doubt about that – I’d love to get Barcola at Liverpool, but he’s a left winger for me.”
“Liverpool’s big thing that stands out like a sore thumb right now is replacing Mo Salah, a right winger. And I don’t think Liverpool have got anybody really in the squad who looks fully comfortable playing right wing.”
“They probably have at least four players in the squad before Barcola joins, if he joins, who could play on the left-hand side comfortably.”
“Now, I’m not saying any of those players are better than Barcola. But in terms of the balance of the squad, it’s not the position Liverpool need right now. They need a right winger.”
“But if you’re saying to me, do I want Barcola to come and Liverpool are going to sign a right winger as well? I’ll be absolutely delighted because players would have to move on. Of course they would.”
“But right now, I felt this summer would be about replacing Mo Salah. Barcola doesn’t replace Mo Salah.”
Should Liverpool sign Bradley Barcola?
While Carragher makes good points about Barcola’s preferred position and the need for a specialist right winger, ultimately Liverpool need a consistent forward capable of scoring goals.
The Reds really struggled for consistency in front of goal last season, whether through injuries, tactics or poor form across their attacking threat.
While Barcola has had limited game time for PSG, he has still been a consistent contributor, scoring 13 goals and registering seven assists in 49 appearances, averaging a goal contribution every 148 minutes.
To put that into perspective, Cody Gakpo averaged a goal contribution every 240 minutes last season, Mohamed Salah every 143 minutes and Florian Wirtz every 206 minutes, meaning Barcola would significantly increase Liverpool’s attacking output.
Not only that, the 23-year-old made eight appearances on the right wing last season, where he scored in the Champions League round of 16 against Chelsea and registered an assist against Liverpool in the Champions League knockout stages.
With that being said, there is enough evidence to suggest Barcola has the ability to operate on either flank and could become an important influence in Liverpool’s forward line next season.
