ESPN: Barcola Expected to Make Debut Against Ipswich on Friday

According to ESPN, Iraola said new signing Barcola is expected to make his debut in Liverpool's Premier League match against Ipswich on Friday.

The forward moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Anfield on Monday, ending a saga that had lasted throughout the summer. Liverpool will pay an initial £106 million ($143 million), plus up to £17 million ($23 million) in add-ons.

Barcola's last competitive appearance came on July 18, when France lost 4-6 to England. After joining up with his new teammates this week, the 24-year-old is highly likely to be included in the matchday squad for the game at Portman Road.

Iraola said at the pre-match press conference: “We are very happy with Barcola. You could say that bringing in a very good player in this position was our priority. The mentality he brings is also right. One thing I like about him is that he really wanted to come to Liverpool.”

“He just wanted to come here, and I think that is a very good first signal. With his ability and the honours he has won recently, he comes here with the desire to help the team. I am very happy with Barcola, and he has trained well with us. If today's training goes well, he will definitely be in the available squad for tomorrow's match.”

Asked whether Barcola would start on Friday, Iraola added: “That is a good question. I think he is in good condition and has completed three training sessions with us. It is true that he has not had playing time in pre-season, but he has trained normally with the whole team. Now we need to make a decision. I think he is in good shape, but we also have to consider that he has not played in pre-season.”

Barcola is Liverpool's fourth signing of the summer. Before him, the club had already signed Jakic and Victor Munoz, and also brought in Araujo on loan. Although Liverpool ended the summer window with the highest net spend in the Premier League, the team did not strengthen all key positions, and Iraola also suggested he would like more support.

The Liverpool manager said: “I am very happy with all the signings we have completed. Including Jakic, we have made three or four signings, and I am happy with all the additions. I know what you are going to ask next — ‘Do you still want to make more signings in other positions?’ In the end, the club decided that the signings we completed were enough to improve the team and where we are now.”

“We also had other options, but we did not take them for different reasons. Sometimes it was for sporting reasons, because they could not improve what we already have; sometimes it was for financial reasons, because it was not suitable from a market perspective. But I am very happy now because I know what we have, and I think there is a lot of quality in the squad. Now it is time for the players, and for me, to refine the squad we have.”