Soccer
Andoni Iraola says Bradley Barcola is ‘in a good place’ but patience will help
Andoni Iraola does not expect Liverpool’s new £123million signing Bradley Barcola to require a “special build-up” after he made his debut in Friday’s 2-0 win at Ipswich.
Barcola was introduced with 64 minutes on the clock for his first minutes since he appeared in France’s third-place play-off defeat to England at the World Cup.
A protracted transfer saga with Paris St Germain finally ended on Monday when Barcola arrived at Anfield for an initial £106m, with a further £17m part of the package in add-ons.
It ensured Liverpool secured their primary target, but Barcola had to be content with a place on the bench at Portman Road.
New Reds chief Iraola preached patience with Barcola due to a disrupted pre-season, yet hinted it will not take too long for the 24-year-old to get up to speed.
“Bradley hadn’t played a single minute since the World Cup so we needed to be careful,” Iraola said.
“He is training well, he is in a good place and I think he has helped us. Probably we haven’t found him in a couple of situations where he was going in with the keeper and we haven’t seen his movement.
“There was also a very good counter and pass inside that we didn’t score, but (he was) always a threat.
“When he carries the ball, you can feel this threat and (be) happy because it is 30 minutes that are going to be good for his fitness and for his build-up.
“We will continue and we play a lot of games so he will have the chance to play more.
“I think (patience) is normal. He hasn’t played any pre-season, not even a minute and I think he is still in a good place.
“I don’t think he will need something like a special build-up but we have to be aware that he hasn’t played in a while.
“The demands for the games are different from training so we have to consider this.”
Liverpool’s victory ensured Iraola got off the mark at the third time of asking.
Iraola required 10 Premier League matches to open his account at Bournemouth.
“Oh definitely (relief). That couldn’t happen here, definitely and obviously we needed it,” Iraola added.
“We needed the win and I think two points don’t reflect our first two games, but it was the points we had. So, definitely we couldn’t lose any more and I am happy.”
