Bradley Barcola’s first Liverpool start ended on the hour mark after the new £123million winger had to be replaced after suffering a concerning injury
Bradley Barcola had to be substituted due to injury in his first start for Liverpool against Atletico Madrid.
The 24-year-old France international was named in the starting line-up by Andoni Iraola for the first time since his £123million switch from PSG last month. Barcola previously came off the bench against Ipswich on Friday night for his debut.
But Barcola’s first taste of Anfield as a Liverpool player ended in disappointment after he was forced off with an apparent calf injury on the hour mark. The winger had seen two golden chances to score wasted, with Jan Oblak saving a close range effort in the first-half before he shot wide from a one-on-one in the second.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Barcola pulled up off the ball with a calf problem after attempting a sprint in behind the Atletico backline. He immediately sat on the turf and grimaced as he held the back of his leg.
Liverpool’s physios quickly tended to him but the resigned look on Barcola’s face made it obvious that his night was over early.
Barcola was able to limp off the pitch without help and headed straight down the tunnel. It remains to be seen just how serious the problem is, or if it was cramp after a lack of minutes so far this season.
He was consoled by his team-mates before he made way for Victor Munoz with Liverpool leading 2-1 after Alexis Mac Allister’s brilliant strike from 20 yards completed a Liverpool turnaround.
Marcos Llorente had opened the scoring after just 17 minutes before Dominik Szoboszlai’s composed finish levelled the scores before the break.
Barcola’s first minutes of the season came at Portman Road in the 2-0 win on Friday night after he was left out of PSG’s opening games as he looked to close in on a move to Liverpool.
Speaking about his blockbuster signing in the build-up to the game, Iraola said: “He’s not had the pre-season minutes but I like what I saw from him the other day.
“He’s been training well so it’s a good game to put him in straight away. I don’t think he will play full game but we will see how he does.
“We need freshness, especially outside with Rio and Bradley, we can find these difference makers.”