Jamie Carragher warns Liverpool signing Bradley Barcola faces battle for regular place

Jamie Carragher has warned new Liverpool signing Bradley Barcola that he could struggle to secure regular opportunities at Anfield while Cody Gakpo continues to perform at his current level.

Barcola was included in Liverpool’s plans for the first time after completing his £123m move from Paris Saint-Germain this summer. However, the France forward began Friday’s match against Ipswich Town on the substitutes’ bench before coming on in the 64th minute for Victor Munoz.

Carragher, the former Liverpool captain and defender, responded to Barcola’s debut by suggesting the competition for places in attack would be intense.

“Barcola is going to struggle to get a game with this version of Gakpo😅🔥”

The comment followed Carragher’s regular criticism of Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah during the Egyptian forward’s time at the club, before Salah left at the end of last season. Carragher now appears ready to scrutinise another high-profile arrival at Anfield as Barcola begins his Liverpool career.

Gakpo started on the left against Ipswich and played a decisive role in the 2-0 victory. He provided both assists for Alexander Isak, who scored twice, having already found the net against Newcastle United and set up a goal in the meeting with Nottingham Forest.

That form has immediately strengthened Gakpo’s claim to a starting position and could make Barcola’s route into the first team more difficult, particularly while the Dutch international remains in such productive form.

Barcola’s first Liverpool appearance was carefully managed because he had not played competitively since the World Cup. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said the club’s coaching staff were taking a cautious approach to the forward’s return, despite his positive progress in training.

“He is training well and is in good condition,” Iraola explained, while indicating that approximately 30 minutes on the pitch was the right amount of time for Barcola during his gradual return to full match fitness.

The manager also said Liverpool’s crowded fixture schedule in the coming weeks should provide Barcola with more chances to play. Those opportunities could allow the £123m signing to build his fitness, adapt to his new surroundings and gradually challenge for a place in the starting line-up.

For now, though, Barcola faces competition from a player who has made a strong start to the season. Gakpo’s contribution against Ipswich, combined with his goals and assists in the previous matches against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, means the new arrival may have to wait for a sustained run in the side.

His debut marked the beginning of his Liverpool career, but Carragher’s warning underlines the immediate challenge facing Barcola: earning regular minutes in an attack where Gakpo has established strong early momentum.