I’ve been thinking about Bradley Barcola quite a lot during this international break.
Not because I’m worried about him.
Actually, quite the opposite.
I think there is a very good player in there.
But there is one decision Andoni Iraola may need to make when Liverpool return to action.
Should Bradley Barcola become Liverpool’s right winger?
Because, interestingly, his most impressive performance for Liverpool so far came when he started on the right against Atlético Madrid.
And that probably wasn’t a coincidence.
Barcola looked dangerous on the right
Barcola made his first Liverpool start against Atlético in the Champions League, with Cody Gakpo unavailable and Iraola opting to put the Frenchman on the right.
It was a really encouraging performance.
His pace immediately gave Atlético something different to think about.
He was able to attack space, run beyond defenders and threaten in behind.
There were also signs that he was able to contribute defensively from that side, which is something that shouldn’t be overlooked.
One match analysis gave Barcola a 7/10 rating and specifically highlighted how well his pace worked on the right in both attacking and defensive situations.
And he could easily have scored.
There was one particularly good opportunity early in the second half when he raced through the Atlético defence but dragged his shot wide.
It was a big chance.
But the fact that he was getting into those positions was extremely encouraging.
So why not just keep him there?
This is where it gets interesting.
Barcola has spent much of his career operating from the left.
That’s where he has built his reputation.
That’s where he can cut inside, attack his full-back and use his pace to devastating effect.
So moving him permanently to the right would represent a pretty significant tactical decision.
But Liverpool didn’t spend a huge amount of money on Barcola simply to put him somewhere because there happened to be space.
They spent big because they believe he can become a major player for this team.
And sometimes you have to find the position that gets the best out of the player and the team.
Maybe that position is the right.
Look at what it could do for Liverpool
There is another reason I like the idea.
Cody Gakpo has been one of Liverpool’s most effective players this season.
He’s comfortable from the left, he’s contributing creatively and he has become increasingly important to Iraola.
Then you’ve got Rio Ngumoha, who can also play from that side.
So Liverpool actually have options on the left.
The right side is a little different.
Barcola’s pace there could give Liverpool something they don’t currently get consistently enough.
And imagine the front three of:
Barcola – Isak – Gakpo.
That has serious potential.
You’ve got Barcola stretching teams on one side.
Gakpo providing strength and creativity on the other.
And Alexander Isak operating through the middle.
The frightening thing is that Liverpool haven’t even got this attack clicking properly yet.
Isak has already scored four Premier League goals in five appearances, while Liverpool’s attacking combinations are still developing.
But it would be a bold decision
I wouldn’t pretend this is an obvious decision.
It isn’t.
Barcola is still adapting to Liverpool.
He’s still only beginning to understand Iraola’s demands.
And putting a player in a position different from the one he has predominantly played throughout his career carries risks.
There’s also the issue of the transfer fee.
Liverpool spent a huge amount of money bringing Barcola to Anfield.
When you spend that kind of money on a player, there is naturally an expectation that he will be used in a way that maximises his biggest qualities.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean playing him in his traditional position.
It means finding the best version of him.
And perhaps Iraola has already seen something against Atlético that makes him think the right side could be that position.
Don’t forget what happened against Bournemouth
There was another interesting clue before the international break.
Against Bournemouth, Barcola started on the left and looked lively, even forcing a save from Djordje Petrovic with a low effort.
So I’m certainly not saying he can’t play on the left.
He clearly can.
But that’s the question Iraola now has to answer.
Where does Barcola give Liverpool the biggest threat?
Not where is he most comfortable?
Not where has he played most often?
But where does his presence make Liverpool a better team?
For me, that’s what makes the right-wing possibility so intriguing.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Iraola tries it again
The beauty of the international break is that Iraola has time to think.
Liverpool are still unbeaten in the Premier League and have started to become much more difficult to break down defensively.
The next step is getting the attack to click.
And Barcola could be a big part of that.
I’d like to see Iraola try him on the right again when Liverpool return.
Not necessarily permanently from day one.
But give him a run of games there.
See whether the Atlético performance was a one-off or whether we’ve stumbled across something.
Because if Barcola can become a genuine threat from the right, while Gakpo continues to thrive from the left and Isak keeps scoring through the middle…
Liverpool could have the makings of a seriously exciting front three.
And perhaps the answer to getting the best out of Barcola isn’t complicated at all.
Maybe we just need to put him where he looked most dangerous.
On the right.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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