FootyRecall Player Profiles
Bradley Barcola: Liverpool's first press and last run
Liverpool are installing Barcola as a side-switching depth runner whose work starts with the first press and ends with the last run.
- Club
- Liverpool
- Position
- Left/right winger
- Age
- 24
The player and the role
Barcola is not a fixed Salah replacement. Andoni Iraola is using him as a side-switching depth runner. From the left, he can receive to feet and drive inside. From the right, he becomes a purer runner behind the full-back and towards the far post. On either side, his work begins with the first press and ends with the last run.
At a glance
- 168
- League minutes
- Two starts
- 109
- Champions League depth runs
- With Paris Saint-Germain in 2025/26
- 4
- World Cup goal involvements
- 3 goals and 1 assist
How they play
Against Bournemouth, Isak curved his pressure through the centre while Barcola jumped from the left onto outside centre-back James Hill. For the winning goal, the winger then joined Isak and the deeper Wirtz inside the box, making a three-against-two around the cross. His Champions League start on the right offered the other picture: press diligently, then sprint beyond the full-back when a longer pass breaks the line.
What the numbers tell us
The current league sample is only 168 minutes, with 0 goals, 0 assists, 0.26 xG and 0.13 xA. It falls below the peer threshold. His PSG baseline explains the recruitment: 109 Champions League runs in behind, with 50.2% of his attacking runs targeting depth. He also led PSG for carries that created chances and ended in shots. The point is selective acceleration, not endless dribbling.
How the role has evolved
Last season brought 13 goals and 6 assists in all competitions. Then came eight World Cup appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist and no full pre-season before Liverpool. The gradual installation is logical.
The season in context
2026/272026/27 Premier League: 168 minutes, two starts, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0.26 xG, 0.13 xA.
2025/262025/26 Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1: 29 appearances, 21 starts, 1,743 minutes, 11 goals, 1 assist, 9.83 xG, 4.66 xA.
Cups & Europe2026/27: one 60-minute Champions League start and one 18-minute EFL Cup substitute appearance. 2025/26: 48 appearances, 13 goals and 6 assists in all competitions, including 2 goals and 4 assists in 16 Champions League appearances.
How they compare
League comparisons use the same FPL position and players within two years of age, with at least 180 minutes this season or 900 last season. Other measures identify their provider or competition below.
- Below floor
- Current league comparison
- 168 minutes
- The current peer-ranking floor is 180 league minutes.
- 50.2%
- Attacking runs into depth
- 2025/26 Champions League
- 109 runs in behind supplied the recruitment baseline.
Where they can improve
His 37.2% dribble success at PSG and uneven big-chance conversion warn against treating open-field danger as complete one-against-one mastery. Compact blocks can strand him if Liverpool circulate too slowly.
What we’re watching next
Track runs, box touches and shots by starting side. The first goal matters less than whether Liverpool learn to release him before the space closes.