Liverpool face Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday in a Premier League showdown with significant title implications. The match comes amid fallout from City being found guilty of breaching 114 Premier League regulations, which has cast doubt over their recent dominance.
Iraola defends Barcola
Andoni Iraola has rejected suggestions that summer signing Bradley Barcola is struggling for form after the forward was criticised for his France performances. The 24-year-old received harsh reviews following Monday's 4-1 Nations League win over Belgium.
With senior forwards Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both absent through injury for the Manchester City game, Iraola needs Barcola to deliver a display similar to those he regularly produced for PSG.
“I don't think he's in a bad moment,” Iraola said. “The problem with wingers or strikers is if they don’t score a goal, 'They haven’t played well.' 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. 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.”
This defence of Barcola comes a month after Iraola similarly backed Florian Wirtz amid the German's struggles to justify his price tag.
Reds linked with Murillo
Liverpool are among several clubs credited with interest in Nottingham Forest's Murillo. The Brazilian has established himself as one of the Premier League's most reliable centre-backs and is on the radar of numerous leading clubs.
According to TeamTalk, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are keen on the 24-year-old, who has made more than 100 appearances since joining Forest from Corinthians in 2023. Having signed a new contract in the summer, tying him to the City Ground until 2030, Murillo would carry a hefty price tag, and a January departure would reportedly require an 'exceptional offer.'
With Virgil van Dijk in the latter stages of his career, the Reds are looking to future-proof their defence.
