Liverpool information: Bradley Barcola will get ignored as Reds star admits he is ‘very, very unhappy’
Liverpool host Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but the Reds have been hit by a double blow ahead of Andoni Iraola’s first game in the competition
Andoni Iraola is spearheading a new era at Liverpool(Image: Getty)
Liverpool have been rocked by the candid admissions of one star player, while another has received a harsh snub.
The Premier League giants welcome Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night, as Andoni Iraola faces Diego Simeone’s awkward side in a rematch of last year’s encounter at Anfield, when the hosts triumphed in a thrilling 3-2 clash and Argentinian hothead Simeone lost the plot and got himself sent off.
The Spanish coach will hope history repeats itself in his first ever Champions League tie and that he records back-to-back wins following the 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town, inspired by an Alexander Isak brace. Bradley Barcola made his debut at Portman Road after his £123million switch from Paris Saint-Germain. But the French winger has suffered a setback, while another key star has spoken openly about their future. Here’s all the latest news from Anfield.
Bradley Barcola made his Liverpool debut as a substitute against Ipswich Town(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Barcola overlooked
The France international was absent from the 30 players shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or.
The roster was unveiled on Tuesday, with Barcola’s omission featuring amongst the most shocking snubs, alongside his ex-PSG colleague, Desire Doue, reports the Mirror.
The Champions League winners boasted an impressive 10 players on the list, including summer acquisition Ferran Torres.
Barcola, 24, enjoyed a productive previous campaign in France, netting 13 goals and providing seven assists across 49 appearances in all competitions.
He started every Champions League game for PSG – scoring in both legs of their last 16 thrashings of Chelsea – before an ankle sprain that ruled him out of one of two clashes with Liverpool.
He was then a substitute for the remainder of the French giants campaign that ended in glory.
Liverpool’s underwhelming defence of their Premier League crown last season, while ending empty-handed in terms of silverware, meant the club failed to secure representation among the nominees.
Mac Allister ‘sad’
Mac Allister’s contract expires in 2028
Alexis Mac Allister was the player who accompanied Andoni Iraola at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference and he had plenty to say.
The midfielder – who struggled with poor form and injuries last season – delivered the shocking revelation that he had opportunities to depart the club during the summer, while also confessing he felt “very sad” about not getting a new contract offer.
He said: “There was a chance [I could leave], of course, as everyone knows. I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract, which makes me very, very sad because everyone can see I give 100% for this football club every single day in training. I always give my best.”
When pressed to address the 27-year-old’s remarks, Iraola said: “For me, the most important thing is that Alexis wants to be here.”
The Reds manager was subsequently questioned on whether he had discussed the contract matter directly with Mac Allister, to which he responded: “No. I try to help all my players. I hope I can improve my players so I can help them win games.
“Same with Alexis and everyone else. I’m very happy with Alexis and his performances, especially on Friday. I hope I can help him to improve. He’s a very good player.”
Liverpool chose to give new long-term contracts to midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai, 25, and Ryan Gravenberch, 24, in the summer.
