Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed that new signing Bradley Barcola could make his debut for the club in Friday night's Premier League trip to Ipswich Town, just days after his blockbuster £123m move from Paris Saint-Germain.
The French winger's arrival capped off a dramatic summer transfer saga, with Liverpool completing the deal on the penultimate day of the window. Barcola had been frozen out at PSG this season, failing to feature in any matchday squad and recording no minutes throughout pre-season, fueling speculation over his future in Paris.
Despite his lack of game time, Iraola suggested the 23-year-old has settled in well since joining his new teammates on the training ground and remains firmly in contention for a role against Ipswich at Portman Road.
"We are very happy with Bradley. He was our priority, let's say, to sign a very very good player in that position," Iraola told reporters on Thursday. "He has come with the right mentality. I liked from him that he wanted Liverpool a lot. He just wanted to come here and I think that is a good first sign, and being the player that he is and the things that he has won."
The Spanish coach added that Barcola's eagerness to contribute immediately has been evident since his arrival. "He has come with the willingness to help us. I am very happy with him and he trained well with us. If everything goes well in training today, he will definitely be available for tomorrow's game."
When pressed on whether Barcola could be handed a starting berth so soon after signing, Iraola stopped short of ruling it out, though he acknowledged the winger's lack of match sharpness could factor into the final decision. "I see him in a good place. He has trained with us in the trainings. It's true he hasn't had minutes in pre-season but he has been training normal with the group. That's a decision we have to make. I think he's in a good place but we have to consider that he hasn't had the minutes."
A final call on Barcola's involvement, whether from the start or off the bench, is expected to be made close to kickoff. Iraola, still searching for his first victory as Liverpool boss following back-to-back draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, will be eager to find fresh attacking impetus at Portman Road.
Barcola's signing was the headline move in a transfer window that also brought Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz, and loanee Ronald Araujo to Anfield. While questions lingered over whether Liverpool did enough business at right-back and in defensive midfield, Iraola expressed satisfaction with the club's overall recruitment.
The addition of Barcola further strengthens Liverpool's options on the flanks, a development that could limit opportunities for academy prospect Rio Ngumoha. Asked whether there had been progress on offering the 18-year-old a first professional contract, Iraola gave a simple negative response.
The manager also touched on retaining Cody Gakpo, who had attracted late interest from Manchester City before the Dutch forward remained at Anfield. "Cody is a very smart player," Iraola said. "My relationship with him has been honest since the beginning. He has performed with us very well, in all the pre-season games, in all the games. He scored in the first game, assisted in the next one. He was well aware of the situation in the market - we were constantly talking with each other. He has trained very well and I hope we keep him at the same level. He is in a good place, physically, mentally. I am glad to keep Cody because he is a valuable player."
Based on reporting from The Independent and The Standard.