Andoni Iraola got plenty wrong against Fenerbahce, but one decision that particularly stood out was his choice to experiment with Bradley Barcola as Liverpool’s centre-forward.
The Reds eventually lost 3-2 in Istanbul, suffering their first defeat of this season’s Champions League campaign, and the decision to leave Alexander Isak on the bench was one that backfired.
There was a logic behind Iraola’s thinking. With Liverpool facing a demanding run of fixtures, the manager wanted to rotate his attacking options, give Isak some valuable rest and see whether Barcola’s pace could cause problems through the middle.
Unfortunately, it simply didn’t work.
Barcola is an exciting attacking talent, blessed with tremendous pace, direct running and the ability to trouble defenders when given space out wide. However, there is a difference between being an effective winger and leading the line as a number nine.
Against Fenerbahce, that difference was obvious.
The Frenchman struggled to influence the game, found it difficult to get involved in Liverpool’s attacking play and failed to provide the presence required from a central striker.
He had an opportunity to make more of Joe Gomez’s excellent delivery and also glanced a header wide. It was a frustrating evening for a player who has shown considerably more quality in other appearances.
Iraola himself acknowledged afterwards that Barcola has generally been more dangerous when playing out wide.
That admission tells its own story.
Isak’s introduction highlighted the problem
Perhaps the biggest indication that the experiment had failed came when Alexander Isak finally entered the action.
The Swedish international needed very little time to make his presence felt, scoring with his first touch after coming off the bench.
It was exactly the sort of contribution Liverpool had been missing during the opening stages.
Isak offers something different. His movement, ability to occupy central defenders, hold-up play and natural instinct inside the penalty area make him Liverpool’s most obvious option to lead the attack.
Liverpool looked a different proposition with a recognised centre-forward leading the line.
Of course, Isak’s minutes need to be managed carefully, particularly with the fixture schedule becoming increasingly demanding. But there is a balance between protecting a player’s fitness and weakening the team’s attacking threat.
Starting Barcola through the middle was an unnecessary gamble that Liverpool could ill afford.
Barcola needs to play to his strengths
This isn’t about writing off Barcola after one disappointing performance.
Far from it.
There is a reason Liverpool invested so heavily in his potential, and his best qualities remain incredibly valuable to this team.
He should be encouraged to attack defenders, use his acceleration and stretch opposition backlines from wider positions.
Trying to turn him into something he isn’t could actually restrict his development and take away the qualities that make him such an exciting player.
Liverpool have enough attacking options to accommodate different systems, but there is no point forcing players into unfamiliar positions simply for the sake of rotation.
Iraola must get his attacking decisions right
Liverpool cannot afford too many more nights like Istanbul.
The defensive problems were obvious, but the attacking selection also deserves scrutiny. Iraola wanted to freshen things up, yet the changes disrupted Liverpool’s attacking balance.
There is nothing wrong with experimenting during a long season, but some decisions are better left in the training ground.
Barcola through the middle was one of them.
Hopefully, Iraola takes the positives from the experience and recognises where his players are most effective.
Barcola is a winger. Isak is a centre-forward.
Sometimes football really is that simple.
By Jamie (The Kopite View)
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