Bradley Barcola has been backed to provide Liverpool with an attacking dimension they have been missing, although it may not be enough to secure Champions League qualification this season.
The France international joined from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee that could rise to £123million and made his first Premier League start in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham.
Former France international Emmanuel Petit believes Bradley Barcola can make a difference but will need to adapt his game to Liverpool’s demands.
“Bradley Barcola needs to learn a different way of playing,” he said speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest Premier League odds,
“Paris Saint-Germain play a very specific type of football. It’s in their DNA, how they respond to the position of the ball, everything is like an automation.
“Liverpool are different but Barcola will bring them something they have been missing for the last two seasons: a man capable of running with the ball, taking the space behind the defenders, trying to break through into the final third and get one on one at all times. That kind of player can be dangerous every time they touch the ball.
“Is Barcola going to play the same way he played for Paris Saint-Germain? No, because Liverpool don’t play the same way, but he will play with that same ability.
“The only question is whether he has the mental strength to cope with the price tag of his transfer. We will have to see on that.”
Petit added: “He now has the chance to do that for Liverpool, and he needs to make an impact straight away. They cannot wait on him like Florian Wirtz or Alexander Isak.
“I think Barcola is a player who will adapt very quickly to Liverpool. That’s what happened at Paris Saint-Germain when he left Lyon. It took him a couple of weeks but then he was showing his great ability.”
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