Barcola faces fight for minutes as Carragher backs in-form Gakpo

Bradley Barcola has been warned that he may have to wait for regular opportunities at Liverpool after making his first appearance for the club following his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Anfield this summer.

Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher suggested Barcola could struggle to displace Cody Gakpo, who has made an impressive start to the season. Carragher has frequently criticised Mohamed Salah during the Egypt forward’s Liverpool career, before Salah left the club at the end of last season, and now appears ready to scrutinise Barcola as he begins his own spell with the Reds.

Commenting on Barcola’s Liverpool debut, Carragher said the France international could find it difficult to secure consistent playing time in the coming weeks.

The former Liverpool defender wrote on X: “Barcola is going to struggle to get a game with this version of Gakpo😅🔥”

Gakpo started Liverpool’s match against Ipswich Town on Friday and was involved in both goals as Liverpool won 2-0, providing the assists for Alexander Isak. The Dutch forward had already scored against Newcastle United and set up a goal against Nottingham Forest earlier in the campaign.

Barcola joined Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain for £123m but began the Ipswich match among the substitutes. He was introduced in the 64th minute, replacing Victor Munoz, to make his first appearance for the club.

His involvement was deliberately limited because he had not played since the World Cup. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said the club’s coaching staff were taking a cautious approach with the new signing as he worked his way back to full match fitness.

“He is training well and he is in good condition,” Iraola explained, while indicating that around 30 minutes on the pitch represented the right amount of playing time for Barcola at this stage of his return.

The Liverpool manager also said the demanding fixture schedule ahead should create more opportunities for Barcola to feature. Those appearances could allow the 30-year-old? Wait factual age not given. Need avoid age. “could gradually give him chance to challenge for starting place.” But original says gradually compete for starting XI.

The congestion in Liverpool’s schedule is therefore expected to play an important role in Barcola’s adaptation. More minutes could help him regain sharpness, become familiar with his new team-mates and build a case for a place in the starting XI.

For now, however, Gakpo’s form gives Iraola little reason to make immediate changes. His contribution against Ipswich, following his earlier impact against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, has strengthened his position and left Barcola facing an early test of patience at Anfield.

Barcola’s Liverpool career has only just begun, but Carragher’s warning highlights the competition for places he will encounter as he attempts to establish himself in the team.