Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has explained why he was impressed with Bradley Barcola's cameo performance during the 2-0 Premier League win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Friday night.
Alexander Isak scored both goals for Liverpool inside the opening 10 minutes as Iraola's side recorded their first victory and first clean sheet of the season. Barcola was named on the bench for his first match since completing a £123million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week.
Impressive Cameo but Fitness Caution
The winger was introduced in the second half, replacing fellow summer signing Victor Munoz, and took up his place on the left wing for the remainder of the match. Despite getting just half an hour under his belt, Iraola liked what he saw from the 24-year-old but expressed caution over his match fitness and sent a message to the rest of the squad.
"He [Barcola] has had good minutes, a good pass in a counter, a good couple of chances when he was going against the goalkeeper and we haven't found him," Iraola told Sky Sports. "We need to learn these movements because he will be there threatening in behind all the time. But he looks confident on the ball as always."
Champions League Return to Anfield
"He hadn't played any competitive minutes since the World Cup so we had to be a little bit more careful," Iraola added.
Barcola will get the chance to make his home debut for Liverpool when the Reds face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The France international has already played at Anfield twice during his time at PSG and will hope for more minutes when Liverpool take on Atletico Madrid in midweek.
After that, Liverpool face Fulham in the Premier League a few days later, where it remains to be seen if Iraola will hand Barcola his first start since signing for the Reds.
