Liverpool supporters were quick to form a positive opinion of Bradley Barcola after watching the new arrival make his debut in a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town.
The forward entered the contest in the 64th minute, taking Victor Munoz’s place and making his first appearance for Liverpool since completing his £123 million move from Paris Saint-Germain.
That fee was slightly below the sum Liverpool paid Newcastle last summer for Alexander Isak.
The Sweden international, valued at £125 million, scored twice in a nine-minute spell at Portman Road, giving Andoni Iraola’s team control of the match.
Barcola therefore came on with Liverpool seeking either to protect their lead or extend it, rather than needing to recover from a losing position.
Liverpool supporters assess Bradley Barcola’s first appearance
Early in his Liverpool career, Barcola collected possession and weaved beyond two Ipswich defenders, drawing a succession of “ole” chants from the visiting fans at Portman Road.
He also displayed encouraging combinations with his new colleagues.
As he often did at PSG, Barcola used the flank to pull the Ipswich back line apart before looking to cut inside or attack his marker on the outside.
Not long afterwards, he offered the travelling supporters their first glimpse of his explosive speed. Barcola surged unchallenged through the middle and then rolled the ball across to Cody Gakpo, whose poorly timed effort flew above the bar.
With Ipswich searching for a route back into the game, Barcola was also required to retreat and contribute defensively while Liverpool attempted to preserve their two-goal cushion.
Even so, he made an immediate impression on the Liverpool faithful.
“Barcola already looks like the real deal,” one supporter posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Another fan wrote: “I have seen enough already — Barcola could become the greatest player in our history.”
A third supporter added: “This guy is going to be incredibly good for us.”
A fourth predicted: “Wirtz, Szoboszlai and Barcola together will create serious problems for opponents.”
The Liverpool fans in the away section also unveiled a new song for Barcola immediately after he came onto the pitch, using the melody from the television series ‘Heartbeat’.
Speaking in his first interview as a Liverpool player, Barcola said he was eager to get started: “All I want is to play; that is what I am waiting for. It will be incredible.”
He added: “When I learned Liverpool wanted me, I remembered the atmosphere inside the stadium and could feel it again. Playing for a club like this is pure happiness.
“I had several conversations with Iraola. He told me that my ability would add something important to the team, that he was relying on me and believed in me.
“That faith from the manager was a major reason I wanted to join. When your coach trusts you, it gives you the best chance to perform on the pitch. It is a wonderful opportunity to work with such an excellent coach.
“I want to accomplish significant things here. My first priority is to win the Premier League, because that is one of my biggest dreams. I also want to remain at this club for many years, which is why I signed a long-term contract, and I hope to achieve both goals.”
