Andoni Iraola's failed Bradley Barcola experiment leaves Liverpool with £123m dilemma

Daily Mirror · Nathan Ridley · 2026-11-05 12:50 UTC

Bradley Barcola was deployed as a striker in Liverpool's 3-2 defeat to Fenerbahce, and his performance has left Andoni Iraola with a dilemma amid criticism of the club's transfer strategy

It was once the envy of European football. Liverpool's consistency excellent recruitment was the key to Jurgen Klopp's glittering reign and set Arne Slot up for a quick-fire title win.

But Andoni Iraola hasn't been dealt such a favourable hand. The Spaniard has inherited an unbalanced squad, whether that be in terms of age or areas of the pitch.

Iraola's priority in his first summer was to sign an elite winger to replace Mo Salah - and Bradley Barcola was top of the list. After weeks of deliberation, Liverpool shelled out £123million on the Paris Saint-Germain star, who'd just won the Champions League for the second year running.

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