Andoni Iraola ready to unleash Bradley Barcola in new Liverpool attacking role

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has revealed he is willing to experiment with Bradley Barcola in a central attacking role, insisting the French forward’s versatility could provide his side with another dimension in the final third.

The 24-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain in August in a deal worth up to £123 million, has made an encouraging start to life at Anfield, registering three goals and two assists under the Spanish manager.

Although primarily deployed as a winger, Barcola’s pace, acceleration and ability to exploit spaces behind opposition defences have convinced Iraola that he could also be effective through the middle.

The Liverpool manager is particularly interested in using the Frenchman as an alternative centre-forward, especially when his regular striking options require rotation or a different attacking approach.

With Liverpool preparing for their trip to Crystal Palace, where they will seek to preserve their unbeaten away record in the Premier League this season, Iraola has offered insight into his tactical plans for the former PSG attacker.

Iraola explains Barcola’s new attacking role

Iraola believes Barcola’s experience across different attacking positions makes him a valuable option, even though the winger is expected to spend most of his time operating from the flanks.

The Liverpool boss disclosed that the idea of deploying him centrally was influenced by the characteristics of opposition defenders and the opportunities to exploit space behind them.

“Bradley is a winger. Mostly, he has played as a left winger, sometimes as a right winger, but he also has played in PSG as a striker.

“It’s something that I wanted to try. I thought against their centre-backs he could be a threat, especially in behind. He is a winger and he will be mostly – 90 per cent of the time – used as a winger. But it’s alternatives that I sometimes want to try.”

The manager’s comments suggest that Barcola’s deployment through the middle will be determined by specific match situations rather than signal a permanent change to his position.

His ability to accelerate into open spaces and take on defenders could offer Liverpool a different attacking threat, particularly against opponents who defend with a high defensive line.

However, adapting to the physical demands of Premier League centre-forward play presents a different challenge for the youngster, who is still adjusting to English football.

Cody Gakpo experiment offers another option

Barcola is not the only Liverpool attacker Iraola has considered using outside his preferred position as the manager looks to maximise his attacking resources.

Cody Gakpo has also been tested in a central role, with the coach revealing that he has previously explored similar tactical adjustments during matches.

The Dutch international was deployed through the middle against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, providing another indication of Iraola’s willingness to experiment with his forward line.

“I tried with Cody against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. Not maybe from the beginning, but it’s true that during the game, I think it’s options that we can use when Alex is tired, and we need another type of striker.”

The approach reflects Liverpool’s need for flexibility in attack, particularly with Alexander Isak and Lewis Koumas serving as the club’s two recognised striking options.

Having Barcola and Gakpo available as alternative centre-forwards could give Iraola additional tactical solutions when his preferred striker requires a rest or opposition defensive structures demand a different approach.

Barcola faces test to convince in central position

Despite his promising start at Liverpool, Barcola has yet to fully demonstrate that he can reproduce his effectiveness on the wings when deployed as a central striker.

His recent performance against Fenerbahce attracted criticism, with the Frenchman described as virtually anonymous after struggling to make an impact in the attacking role.

That display underlined the difficulties associated with adjusting to a position that requires different movement, positioning and link-up play compared to operating from the flanks.

Nevertheless, Iraola appears determined to retain the option as Liverpool navigate a demanding schedule.