Liverpool have agreed a deal worth £120 million to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, with the French winger left out of the PSG squad for Friday's Ligue 1 clash against Lille as the transfer moves closer. The Reds host Nottingham Forest on Sunday in their first home game of the season, seeking their first win of the campaign.
Barcola left out again
The France international has yet to play this season, having been a substitute in PSG's UEFA Super Cup win over Aston Villa and omitted from the squad in their domestic matches against Lens and Rennes. He was once again left out of the matchday squad for the Lille game.
Barcola is expected to become Liverpool's second-most expensive player of all time if the deal is completed, behind only Alexander Isak's £125 million switch. The winger scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in 49 games across all competitions last season, playing a key role in PSG's back-to-back Champions League titles while battling for game time against Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue.
Wirtz on new role
Florian Wirtz has endured a difficult start at Liverpool. Under former boss Arne Slot, he played as an attacking midfielder and off the left but never truly settled in one role during his debut campaign. New manager Andoni Iraola revealed during pre-season that he sees the German as his 'No. 10' and the creative force of his team.
Speaking with Sky Germany, the 23-year-old said the tasks he's been handed by his new boss are clear-cut, while opening up about the style the Spaniard wants to implement. Wirtz said: "He (Iraola) just wants to play power football going forward. Lots of pressing. The tasks you have are actually relatively clear.
"Of course, we now have to work on making it work as a team. So not only that everyone does their job well, but that it also harmonizes together. But he definitely makes a very good impression on me."
Wirtz added: "I think that he reaches a lot of players with it and that we as a team also understand what he wants from us. I think it's definitely a good start, that the players believe in it, and I hope that it will be successful."
