Is Bradley Barcola becoming Liverpool’s next Florian Wirtz as £123m star struggles?

Bradley Barcola is facing growing scrutiny at Liverpool following his £123 million move from Paris Saint-Germain, with his difficult start at Anfield raising questions about whether he could follow a similar path to Florian Wirtz.

The French winger has yet to register a goal or assist in six appearances under manager Andoni Iraola, leaving supporters frustrated as Liverpool struggle to find consistency in the Premier League.

Their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City intensified the criticism, with Liverpool dropping to ninth in the table after six matches. Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong have already faced scrutiny from fans, and Barcola is now coming under similar pressure to justify his hefty transfer fee.

The concern is not necessarily a lack of talent but whether Liverpool’s expensive summer recruits can adapt quickly enough to meet the club’s expectations.

Barcola needs time to silence doubters

Barcola arrived on Merseyside with an impressive reputation after establishing himself as an influential attacking player at PSG. The 24-year-old recorded 13 goals and eight assists last season, including six goal contributions in the Champions League as the French club beat Arsenal on penalties in the final.

His European performances demonstrated his ability to deliver against elite opposition, making his struggles in England all the more surprising.

However, the expectations surrounding his arrival have been considerable. Beyond adjusting to a new club and league, Barcola has been expected to help fill the void left by Mohamed Salah, a player whose achievements at Liverpool set an exceptionally high standard.

Replacing Salah’s influence was always going to be a difficult task, particularly for a player still adapting to a new environment.

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes supporters should allow Barcola time to settle.

In an exclusive interview with Flashscore, Owen said Barcola was “taking time to settle in” and that “it’s a patient man game at the minute”.

That argument reflects the challenge facing Liverpool’s recruitment strategy. While the club expects immediate returns from expensive signings, players arriving from different footballing environments may need time to adjust.

The alternative is the risk of another Darwin Nunez situation, in which a highly rated forward struggles to meet expectations and loses confidence under mounting pressure.

Premier League intensity presents a challenge

Barcola has acknowledged that the transition from French football to England has not been straightforward.

Describing the Premier League, he said it was “very intense” and “very different from Ligue 1”.

He added: “the games are end-to-end. I find it is less tactical than it is in Ligue 1.”

The comments highlight one of the major challenges facing players moving to England. The league’s pace, physical demands and rapid transitions can require significant adjustment, particularly for attackers expected to contribute consistently over 90 minutes.

Barcola must adapt to repeated high-intensity runs, quick changes of possession and the need to recover defensively while maintaining his attacking threat.

Wirtz has faced similar difficulties since joining Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025. Despite his technical quality and previous performances in Germany, the midfielder has struggled to consistently reproduce his best form in England.

The similarities between their situations have prompted comparisons, although both players remain at different stages of their adaptation.

Liverpool cannot afford prolonged struggles

The combined investment in Barcola and Wirtz could approach £240 million, placing significant scrutiny on Liverpool’s recruitment decisions.

While both players have demonstrated their quality in European competition, their domestic struggles have raised questions about whether the club has recruited players capable of making an immediate impact.

There is, however, a case for patience. Strong Champions League performances suggest that neither player has lost the ability that attracted Liverpool’s interest in the first place.

The challenge is translating that quality into consistent Premier League performances before pressure begins to affect confidence.

Liverpool’s immediate need for results also complicates the situation. The club cannot afford to wait indefinitely for expensive signings to settle while its league position deteriorates.

LASK clash offers another opportunity

Barcola and Wirtz will have another chance to respond when Liverpool face LASK in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The fixture provides an opportunity for both players to rebuild confidence and demonstrate that their early-season struggles are temporary rather than a sign of deeper problems.

For Barcola, the priority is clear: his pace and dribbling must produce goals and assists rather than occasional flashes of promise.

Liverpool’s supporters may be willing to exercise patience, but that patience will depend on visible progress.

Whether Barcola becomes another expensive signing who struggles to meet expectations or eventually establishes himself as a decisive figure at Anfield remains to be seen. For now, the comparison with Wirtz serves as a warning of the pressure facing Liverpool’s latest big-money recruits.