Liverpool Look to Barcola While Isak and Gakpo Miss Manchester City
Liverpool face their most important match of the season with a problem that is easy to explain but hard to solve. Andoni Iraola has ruled out both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo for the visit of Manchester City, which leaves him short of recognised firepower and forces a rethink in attack.
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The situation matters because Isak is the only senior specialist No. 9 currently available to Iraola while Hugo Ekitike continues his recovery from injury. Gakpo had looked like the most obvious alternative, the natural deputy who could step in and give Liverpool a focal point. With both unavailable, the head coach has to improvise.
Barcola Steps Into Focus
The most obvious route may now be Bradley Barcola through the middle. He has already been used on both flanks since his move from Paris Saint-Germain, and while the goals have not arrived yet, Iraola was clear in his assessment. He is not panicking, and he is not interested in shallow criticism.
“I don’t think he’s in a bad moment,” he replied. “I think the problem with wingers who are strikers, is if they don’t score a goal then they haven’t played well. I think we have to see the games, we have to watch.
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“In the first game against Atletico Madrid he missed two or three quite clear chances, I don’t care, honestly. I care, but I want to see him there. I’ve seen him with the national team, he had a couple of good situations to score, he hasn’t scored, but I want him to be there.
“He’s a top player for us, I think he can play in any position up front. He has probably played more as a left winger, but has played a little bit as a striker, even more as a right winger, so I think he can go in all three positions up front and he’s a super valuable player for us.”
Iraola Needs Practical Answer
This is the key point. Barcola may not be the ideal No. 9, but he offers mobility, pace and the ability to attack space. Against Manchester City, that can matter as much as penalty-box presence. Liverpool may have less structure centrally, but they could gain unpredictability.
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Lewis Koumas is also in the frame and Iraola has made it clear he trusts the youngster. Federico Chiesa, back from injury, gives another option, though asking him to lead the line from the start would look a stretch. These are the choices, and none of them are perfect.
Manchester City Test Comes Early
There is no disguising the timing. Losing Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo ahead of Liverpool vs Manchester City is bad luck, full stop. This is the sort of game where proven forwards decide margins. Liverpool will instead need a collective answer.
For now, Barcola looks like the most logical solution. He may not be the player supporters expected to see in the middle, but he gives Iraola the cleanest tactical fit. In a game of this size, that may have to be enough.