Liverpool v Atletico Madrid LIVE: Iraola offers Barcola injury update after summer signing limps off in win | OneFootball

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'I blame myself for slow Liverpool start' says Iraola but praises character for comeback vs. Atletico

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola played down injury worries over new signing Bradley Barcola after he was forced off in the 2-1 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.

The France international impressed on his full debut for the club following his late move from Paris St Germain in a £123m deal and with better finishing could have had a hat-trick.

He went off on the hour holding his left calf to spark fears of an issue, especially as before his substitute appearance at Ipswich on Friday he had not played since the World Cup third-place play-off, but Iraola was not too worried.

“It’s just cramp, there is no injury. With Bradley, it’s about building his physical condition,” said the Basque, who marked his Champions League managerial debut with a win.

“We don’t really know, or we didn’t know until now probably, how much he can play, because he hasn’t had any minutes in pre-season for PSG.

“He played 30 the other day. Today we had some question marks, how many minutes he can give us, and probably now we know.

“And I’m very happy because also he has had two very clear chances against the keeper. He hasn’t scored, but I want him there.“That is where he has to make the difference – arriving to those spots, those positions.”