Iraola Backs Barcola Before Liverpool Faces Manchester City

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola backed Bradley Barcola after criticism of the forward's recent France performances, as the summer signing prepares for a Premier League match against Manchester City with attacking options limited by injuries.

Barcola, 24, joined Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain late in the summer transfer window and has made five appearances without a goal or assist, according to GiveMeSport. The forward was criticised after France's 4-1 Nations League win over Belgium.

Iraola said Barcola's form should be judged beyond his scoring record and highlighted the player's ability to create chances. The Liverpool manager also noted that Barcola can operate across the front three positions.

"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'," said Andoni Iraola, Liverpool head coach.

"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." said Andoni Iraola, Liverpool head coach.

Iraola continued discussing Barcola's chances for France and Liverpool, where the winger may be required to play centrally because Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are injured.

"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." said Andoni Iraola, Liverpool head coach.

"He is a top player for us. I think he can play in any position up front." said Andoni Iraola, Liverpool head coach.

"He's a super valuable player for us." said Andoni Iraola, Liverpool head coach.

Barcola said he has been adapting to Liverpool after moving from Paris Saint-Germain and described the Premier League as a different challenge from Ligue 1.

"Yes, I feel comfortable," said Bradley Barcola.

"At the beginning, I had to adapt and now I feel that I'm adapting more and more. So, I'm very happy to start ahead and I hope to be even better on the pitch." said Bradley Barcola.

"I think it's very intense. It's very different from Ligue 1." said Bradley Barcola.

"But yes, you have to work hard to be ready for a lot of running and that's what I try to do in training to be prepared for every match." said Bradley Barcola.

Barcola also praised Iraola's approach and discussed Liverpool's upcoming meeting with Manchester City after the international break.

"I think he's a very good coach. He has very good ideas. He puts a lot of intensity, whether it's in training or in a match. I think it's very good to work like that so that we can win all our matches." said Bradley Barcola.

"I think it's going to be a very tough match, because Manchester City are a very good team. We'll be playing at home with all our fans, so I think we have that advantage and we know they'll be behind us. It's going to be tough, but we'll be ready." said Bradley Barcola.

Former France striker Thierry Henry previously assessed Barcola's adjustment period, pointing to the pressure created by his transfer fee and expectations at Liverpool.

"It’s not an easy place to start, and he didn’t ask for his price tag, but it’s on his back. We all know that one-v-one, he is deadly, and he has pace. The only thing he needs to work on is his finishing, but that’s normal.

If you see my finishing when I was 19 or 20 compared to the end of my career, it was so different. I became so much more sure about my game." said Thierry Henry.

Henry added that Barcola's previous achievements with Paris Saint-Germain and France increased expectations around his Liverpool career.

"With winning the Champions League back-to-back, playing for France, with the price tag and the quality that he has, people are not going to wait for him to become the finished article, so he’s going to have to deliver. There is going to be a level of expectation, and sometimes he is a bit raw in his finishing, but he creates a hell of a lot." said Thierry Henry.