Liverpool's New Era: Barcola Set for Debut Against Ipswich

Andoni Iraola is wasting no time. Liverpool’s new manager is ready to throw £123m signing Bradley Barcola straight into the Premier League glare at Ipswich on Friday night – and he’s just as clear that Cody Gakpo remains central to his plans despite Manchester City’s failed bid.

Barcola fast-tracked for debut

Liverpool moved aggressively for Barcola in the final days of the window, striking a deal with PSG worth an initial £106m, rising to just under the club-record fee paid for Alexander Isak last summer. It is a huge outlay for a 21-year-old who has not enjoyed a full pre-season and has yet to build any rhythm.

Iraola is not interested in excuses.

“We are very happy with Bradley; it was our priority to sign a very, very good player in those positions,” he said on Thursday. “He has also come with the right mentality. I like that he wanted Liverpool a lot. He wanted to come here.”

That desire has clearly impressed the Basque coach, who has already seen enough on the training pitch to consider Barcola for an instant debut.

“It’s a good first sign, and being the player he is, he has come with the willingness to help us. He is playing well for us [in training], and if everything goes well in training today, he will definitely be available for us tomorrow.”

Available is one thing. Starting is another. Asked if Barcola will walk straight into the XI or be eased in from the bench, Iraola admitted there is still a call to make.

“I see him in a good place,” he said. “He has trained for us; indeed, he hasn’t had minutes in pre-season. He has been training, and it’s a decision we have to make. But we have to consider he hasn’t had minutes in pre-season games.”

So the temptation is there. The caution is, too.

Gakpo stays – and plays

Deadline day told a very different story on the opposite flank. While Barcola arrived, FSG shut the door on an £80m offer from Manchester City for Cody Gakpo, blocking the Dutchman’s exit and forcing a reset in the relationship.

Gakpo has already held clear-the-air talks with the ownership, and Iraola is adamant there is no lingering tension from his side.

“My relationship with Cody has been very honest from the beginning,” he said. “He has played very well for us so far.

“He was always aware of the situation in the market; we were constantly talking, and I hope we can keep him at the same level. He is in a good place physically and mentally, and I’m very happy to pick him.”

Gakpo, then, is not a reluctant extra in the Barcola show. He is very much part of the cast for Portman Road and beyond.

Life after Salah on the right

The unresolved question around Liverpool all summer has been the right wing. Mohamed Salah has not been directly replaced, yet Iraola refuses to frame it as a problem.

“We prefer at the end to have the best players rather than players specifically for that position,” he said, underlining his belief in versatility over rigid roles.

“I’m used at other teams to demand wingers to play on both sides. We’ve played with Rio and Cody now on the right; probably most of the wingers play on the left, but I’ve seen them good on the right.”

Barcola only adds to that flexibility.

“Bradley is very open and can play on the left or the right. At Lyon, he sometimes played on the right. It depends on the match-ups, but I’m happy with the wingers we have, and we are going to be able to cope on the right.”

The fee, though, will follow Barcola into every stadium. Iraola is determined to shut that noise out before it reaches the dressing room.

“We can’t put pressure on the players to perform because of their price because we’ve seen how much players have cost at other teams this summer. Once he is our player, he is our player!”

Tough test at Portman Road

While the transfer headlines swirl around Liverpool’s frontline, Iraola’s immediate concern is something more basic: his first win.

Two games, two 2-2 draws, and a manager who does not hide his irritation.

“Definitely. If you don’t win, you are frustrated,” he admitted. “It’s only two games, but we need to win.”

That search takes Liverpool to an Ipswich side that has already shown it belongs at this level.

“Ipswich are a team that won their first game at home. Even the other day, in the first half they were the better team until United got the 2-1 and the game opened up. We have to be ready, give our best,” Iraola said.

He sounds relieved the market is finally shut, the speculation over.

“This game tomorrow, the first two games weeks are the most difficult, but I’m much more comfortable now the market is closed, and we know who we are. We have to perform and do our job.”

Now comes the real test: can Liverpool’s reshaped attack, with a record signing on standby and a wanted man staying put, deliver that first win on a tight Friday night at Portman Road?