€125 Million Signing Injured After Debut? Barcola Starts for 60 Minutes, Misses One-on-One Chance and Goes Off

On September 10 Beijing time, in the 2026-27 Champions League, Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid 2-1. Liverpool's €125 million new signing Barcola started the match, but played only 60 minutes before leaving the field due to injury, and he missed a one-on-one opportunity during the game.

Before the match, Gakpo missed training due to injury, giving the expensive new signing a chance to start. He lined up alongside Ngumoha on either side of Wirtz, behind Isak.

Barcola played 60 minutes and had the most shots in the match with three, including two on target and one off target. The missed attempt was his best chance of the game. In the 49th minute, Liverpool launched a counterattack with a numerical advantage, and Barcola found himself through on goal in the center, but his shot went wide.

In the 60th minute, Barcola suffered a calf issue without contact and was substituted, causing concern.

After the match, Reds manager Iraola said: "I am satisfied with Barcola's performance. Against the opposing goalkeeper, he had two excellent chances to score. Although he did not find the net, the positions he took up were exactly what we expected, making runs into the space behind the opponents during transitions between attack and defense."

"Another aspect is his physical condition. He came off because of cramps, because he did not go through a full preseason preparation and had not had playing time before this. We were not sure how much energy he still had in his fitness reserves. After this match, we have a clearer understanding of his situation. In the previous match against Ipswich, he played 30 minutes, and today he played longer. The key next is to help him gradually build up his fitness."

When repeatedly asked to confirm that the issue was not a calf strain, Iraola said: "No, it was not a calf strain. He was not injured at all, he was just cramping all over his body. I think he was completely exhausted at that moment. He gave the last bit of his energy on the pitch, and I am very grateful for that. He may still feel tired now. We are not sure how many minutes he can play, but he is not injured, and his current mental state is very good."