With Barcola, Liverpool hope to challenge at the top | OneFootball

Liverpool start anew under Andoni Iraola after a troubled 2025-26, hosting Atlético Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League on Wednesday at 21:00. Bradley Barcola is in the frame as the Reds look for an early statement.

Against promoted Ipswich on Friday, Liverpool began to reflect Iraola’s principles, a rapid vertical game coupled with a high press, echoing the Jürgen Klopp years from 2015 to 2024. “His style of play is very direct, intense, and I love that. It is what we missed last season,” said Dominik Szoboszlai, speaking to TNT Sports.

After sustained success from 2019 to 2025, last season’s slide was stark. Arne Slot’s second year proved one too many, and with Mohamed Salah fading, Liverpool finished fifth. This summer Iraola replaced Slot, and Salah departed for Trabzonspor in Türkiye.

The visit of Atlético, a blend of discipline and aggression, offers a first major examination for the 44-year-old, who arrived from Bournemouth and is new to the Champions League.

Barcola’s first Champions League outing for Liverpool could come five days after a 30-minute late cameo against Ipswich. Iraola believes he is ready to play more, though he noted the winger missed the usual pre-season minutes.

He is not expected to start, with Cody Gakpo shining on Friday by delivering two assists, including a superb outside-of-the-boot pass, for Alexander Isak. The Swede has three goals in three Premier League matches, as many as across last season.

Positive signs, then, that have fans dreaming of a rapid return to recent glories.

Source: Le Progres

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”