Bradley Barcola has barely walked through the door at Liverpool, but the expectations are already clear.
The French winger, a two-time Champions League winner, wrapped up his move from Paris Saint-Germain on Monday and went straight to work. He has already trained with his new teammates and is in line to be involved when the Reds open their Premier League campaign at Portman Road on Friday night.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola did not hide his satisfaction at landing the 21-year-old.
“We are very happy with Bradley. It was our priority, let's say, to sign a very, very good player in that position,” he said on Thursday morning. The message was simple: this is not a luxury signing, this is a cornerstone.
What has impressed Iraola most is not just the medals in Barcola’s luggage, but the attitude behind the move.
“I think he has come also with the right mentality. I've liked from him that he wanted Liverpool a lot. He just wanted to come here and I think that's a good first sign,” Iraola explained. A player who has already lifted Europe’s biggest prize twice still arriving “with the willingness to help us” is exactly the profile he wanted.
Barcola has already taken part in three sessions with the squad and, fitness permitting, will be in the matchday group.
“He trained well with us. If everything goes well in today's training also, he will definitely be available for tomorrow, yes,” Iraola confirmed.
The only real doubt now is how big a role he can play immediately. Barcola did not feature in pre-season matches, even if he has been working normally with the group, and that lack of game time lingers in the back of the manager’s mind.
Asked directly whether the new signing is ready to start at Portman Road, Iraola paused on the dilemma every coach faces with a marquee arrival on the eve of a new campaign.
“It's a good question, it's a good question,” he admitted. “I see him in a good place. He has trained with us in three trainings. It's true that he hasn't had minutes in pre-season but he has been training normal with the group. Then it's a decision we have to make.
“I think he's in a good place but we also have to consider that he hasn't had the minutes in the pre-season games.”
So Barcola travels as Liverpool’s new attacking jewel, cleared to play, buzzing to prove himself, and already trusted by his manager. Whether he steps out from the first whistle or is unleashed from the bench, his first touch in a Liverpool shirt now feels a matter of hours away.
