Liverpool boss backs Bradley Barcola after star flounders on France duty

The French media took issue with his lack of end product.

Liverpool's Bradley Barcola enters the game during the Premier League match at Portman Road.

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola rejected suggestions summer signing Bradley Barcola was struggling for form after the forward was criticised for his France performances.

The 24-year-old received some brutal reviews after Monday’s 4-1 Nations League win over Belgium but a contribution of one chance created and just two shots was not well received by the French media, who took issue with his lack of end product.

With his two senior forwards Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both absent with injury for Sunday’s high-profile visit of Manchester City, Iraola needs Barcola to find the kind of display he regularly put in for Paris St Germain and so he was understandably keen to boost the winger’s confidence.

“I don’t think he’s in a bad moment – the problem with wingers or strikers is if they don’t score a goal, ‘they haven’t played well’,” he said.

“We have to see the games, we have to watch. I said it the first game against Atletico Madrid, he missed two or three quite clear chances. I don’t care. Honestly. I care but I want him to see (it’s) there.

“With the national team, I have seen he has had a couple of good situations to score; he hasn’t scored, but I want him to be there.” 

Barcola could be pressed into action as a centre-forward, which is an unfamiliar role for him but one Iraola believes he can perform.

“He is a top player for us. I think he can play in any position up front,” he added.

“He probably has played more as a left winger but has played a little bit as a striker, has played even more as a right winger. I think he can cover the three positions up front.

“He’s a super valuable player for us.” 

The visit of City is always high profile but because it is their first match since being found guilty of over 100 charges relating to financial breaches there is even more focus on the fixture.

Enzo Maresca’s side are sure to receive a hostile welcome but Iraola sought to play down the significance of the day.

“Every game is an exciting game. We are playing at home at Anfield against City, who are top of the league right now,” he added.

“We will go for the game. I think it will be quite an open game and we have to be ready, and also use the help from our supporters.

“You are here to play these kind of games. You know that it’s going to be challenging, they are very good, but we are also very good.

“There are going to be difficult duels, one-v-ones against very good players, so let’s see where we are, and see what help we can provide them during the game with the subs. I’m looking forward to it.” 

City have won all seven matches since losing the Community Shield to Arsenal, while Liverpool remain unbeaten despite a few sketchy draws.

But Iraola is hopeful the next month can provide a better assessment of where his team are.

“It looks very good, but then you see we’ve had two draws at the beginning which weren’t so good,” he said.

“This run of games we have now between the international breaks, the amount of games is very high and we play against the top four in the league, three Champions League games, the Carabao Cup game against Chelsea.

“I think it will say a lot about us. I think after this run of games, we will know better where we really are.”