Big money signings can take time to get going at their new club. At Liverpool, the pressure is already intense. Bradley Barcola, the £123m marquee winger from Paris Saint‑Germain, arrived this summer after Mohamed Salah's departure and has faced a sluggish start, failing to score or assist in his first ten games for club and country.
Early doubts grew when Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz—the £241m duo signed the previous year—also struggled to hit form at Anfield. Yet Barcola's fortunes began to shift. A hat‑trick against LASK in the Champions League was followed by back‑to‑back assists over Brighton and Brentford, showing the attacking wealth the Reds can now boast.
Although he missed the mark against Arsenal, Barcola's first‑half movement caused the champions plenty of concern. In an interview, he admitted, “No, I don’t think I’m at my best yet. You still haven’t seen the best version of me.” He added that he is working with teammates to maximise his strengths and that the squad is beginning to understand his style better.
Barcola insists the huge price tag and Salah's legacy are not weighing on him. “First of all, I wasn’t the one who decided the transfer fee,” he said, dismissing the pressure. He remains focused on improving and believes the team’s chemistry is getting stronger each day.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing