Can Bradley Barcola turn Liverpool into Premier League title contenders?

It had been a tepid transfer window for the Reds, especially given the money spent last summer, but now the club have announced the signing of Bradley Barcola from PSG for £123million.

The 23-year-old forward has become the most expensive top-flight arrival this summer, surpassing Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers to become the second most expensive player in Premier League history behind Alexander Isak.

Andoni Iraola's side have taken just two points from their opening two games, and now a former Reds favourite has weighed in on his former club's title chances now that Barcola has arrived.

Didi Hamann outlines Liverpool's expectations with Bradley Barcola

Barcola had been one of PSG's standout attacking talents, but amid the arrivals of Ferran Torres and Maghnes Akliouche, opportunities were always going to be more sparse; hence, the Champions League winners were willing to let him go.

Liverpool's frontline certainly looks more potent with the Frenchman in it, alongside Isak and Victor Munoz, who have both opened their goal accounts this season.

However, while Barcola is expected to dazzle for the Reds, former midfielder Didi Hamann has played down the club's chances of winning the Premier League title.

“I’m not too sure," Hamann told DAZN News via ToonieBet when asked whether the forward could make Iraola's side title challengers.

"All the players who are already there have got to start playing better. Barcola won’t win games on his own. He might win the odd game on his own, but especially the players who were brought in last season, apart from Ekitike, haven’t performed.

“They’ve got to start producing. Barcola will help, and I think he might also help Wirtz because Wirtz relies on quick players to bring him into play. But Barcola alone is not enough. A lot of players in that team have got to get better; otherwise it’ll be a long season again.”

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What will Barcola bring to Anfield?

With Barcola now a Liverpool player, it is expected he will slot straight into Iraola's side on the left with Cody Gakpo now poised to sign for Manchester City.

The 23-year-old will add a direct, attacking impetus to Iraola's team, with his pace and ball-carrying ability expected to cause Premier League defences problems.

Last season, the forward recorded a higher non-penalty xG (10.83) than any left-winger in Ligue 1, according to Fotmob, while he also boasted 169 touches in the opposition box, ranking him in the top two per cent of players in his position.

Barcola notched 13 goals and seven assists in all competitions last term and made 76 goal contributions in 152 appearances during his time at PSG.

Given that he has not featured at club level since the end of the World Cup, it remains to be seen whether he will start against Ipswich Town on Friday night, but Liverpool need him to hit the ground running.

Where does Hamann think Liverpool will finish?

Expectations are always high at Anfield and after Arne Slot's poor second season, the club will be expected to improve on their fifth-placed finish.

However, Hamann does not see the Reds moving up the table and gives them an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League.

“The manager will be expected to finish in the top four because we know how important the Champions League and that income is.

“I’m not sure they’re going to get it. I think they’ll probably finish fifth or sixth. They might get into the Champions League again if England gets another place, but I don’t think they’re finishing in the top four.

“I don’t think too much is going to change compared to last season. They’ve got to try to get the best out of the players they bought last season, but whether they can do that, I’m not too sure.”

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How to watch the Premier League in Canada

Soccer fans in Canada can watch every Premier League match during the 2026-27 season on DAZN.

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