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Liverpool winger Bradley Barcola acknowledged that his team needed more "control" in Sunday's loss to Arsenal, an approach he believes will prove beneficial in similar fixtures going forward. Reds boss Andoni Iraola, however, is celebrated for his embrace of high-intensity, unpredictable football.
The Merseyside club head into Wednesday's Champions League fixture away at Fenerbahçe looking to preserve their flawless league phase record.
Having already dispatched Atlético Madrid, LASK and Villarreal with varying levels of ease, Liverpool sit comfortably near the summit of the continental standings. They're firmly on course to secure a top-eight finish for the third year running, thereby sidestepping two additional matches in the new year.
Results have hardly been a concern for Iraola since taking charge at Liverpool, with Arne Slot's successor presiding over just two defeats across all competitions. Their spotless European record has been bolstered by a Carabao Cup quarterfinal spot, along with a solid fifth-place position in the Premier League.
Yet it's clear that the Merseysiders remain a team still finding their feet under their new head coach. Encouraging results have papered over early growing pains, and while Liverpool showed genuine quality for stretches during a rare home defeat to champions Arsenal at the weekend, the Gunners served as a reminder that, despite significant investment over consecutive summers, the Reds still have ground to cover before genuinely challenging for the title.
How Bradley Barcola Wants Liverpool to Improve
"I think we need to focus on controlling the game better and playing more on the floor," Barcola told Sky Sports shortly after the Anfield defeat. "Too often, when we're in a game like this [vs. Arsenal], we fall back on long balls. In my view, we should look to keep the ball on the ground more, because we have the quality in this squad to do exactly that."
Liverpool's finest moments against the Gunners came after conceding the opening goal, with their pressing intensity restricting their opponents. The Reds controlled possession and maintained sustained pressure, registering a remarkable 30 touches inside Arsenal's penalty area without managing a single shot on target in the first half. Alexis Mac Allister should have headed the hosts level before the break.
Mikel Arteta made adjustments at halftime and Arsenal regained their composure, effectively neutralising their previously lively hosts. Barcola struggled to make an impact in one-on-one situations, at times even declining to take on Jurrïen Timber. Liverpool laboured against a disciplined low block, and the champions closed out their win with little difficulty.
"Control" didn't seem to be Liverpool's primary problem on Sunday. In other games, perhaps, but not on this occasion. That said, Barcola's concern over "long balls" does hold some merit. The Reds succeeded with just 25% of such passes, according to FotMob, completing only 11. They also managed to convert a mere 11% of their attempted crosses.
Barcola's skillset isn't ideally suited to breaking down compact defensive structures, even though he's an outstanding off-the-ball mover. He reads runs in behind exceptionally well, and the possession-heavy PSG were able to create the right conditions for Barcola to flourish.
Iraola is unlikely to alter his philosophy. Liverpool's average possession share ranks seventh in the Premier League, per Opta, and they've also recorded the joint-10th-highest number of through balls (17). An increase in that figure could benefit Barcola, who is still waiting for his first Premier League goal.
Barcola Makes Mohamed Salah Comparison
While Barcola arrived for a substantial fee, becoming Liverpool's third-most expensive signing in the club's history, his preference for operating on the left flank meant he wasn't universally seen as a like-for-like Mohamed Salah replacement.
Salah departed Anfield at the conclusion of last season, eventually joining Trabzonspor on a free transfer.
The modern-day Liverpool legend left a void that seemed impossible to fill, yet Barcola feels no burden to compensate for the Egyptian's exit: "When it comes to Mo Salah, he's a legend here. An enormous one. He's achieved incredible things at this club, and I have the utmost respect for him. But it's not pressure for me at all.
"I'm not Mohamed Salah, so I'm going to try to contribute whatever I can to this club and carve out my own place in its history. I don't feel any pressure about that," the confident Frenchman stated.
Despite netting a hat trick against LASK in the Champions League, Barcola is still waiting to truly announce himself on Merseyside. A first Premier League goal remains elusive, though he does have two assists to his name in the competition, both credited to Alexander Isak, who, at the outset of the 2026–27 campaign, has at least offered glimpses of why Liverpool were prepared to make him their record purchase two summers ago.