LIVERPOOL, England — Liverpool finally have their blockbuster attacking reinforcement. Now Andoni Iraola needs something even more important: a Premier League victory.
Bradley Barcola is in contention to make his Liverpool debut when the Reds travel to face newly promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Friday, September 4, with Iraola hoping the France international can provide fresh attacking energy after a frustrating winless start to the season.
Liverpool have opened their 2026-27 Premier League campaign with consecutive 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, leaving Iraola still searching for his first league victory as Liverpool manager.
And with the summer transfer window now closed, Iraola made it clear that the conversation at Liverpool must move away from recruitment and toward results.
“We need a win,” Iraola told reporters ahead of the Ipswich match, acknowledging the frustration around Liverpool’s opening two games. He said the end of the transfer window means Liverpool now know exactly what squad they have and must focus on performing.
Barcola Could Make His Liverpool Debut at Ipswich
The biggest source of optimism is Barcola.
Liverpool completed the signing of the 23-year-old French forward from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week. The club did not officially disclose the fee, but reports have placed the package at around £120 million to £123 million, potentially making Barcola one of the biggest transfers of the summer. Reuters previously reported a structure of roughly £106 million upfront with as much as £17 million in add-ons.
Barcola has already trained with his new Liverpool teammates, and Iraola confirmed that, barring any late setback, the winger will be available for the trip to Portman Road.
But availability does not necessarily mean an immediate place in the starting XI.
Iraola said Barcola has trained normally but has not played preseason match minutes, something Liverpool must consider before deciding whether to start their expensive new signing. Liverpool’s official club update said he had completed three training sessions with the squad ahead of the Ipswich game.
That makes Barcola one of the biggest selection questions heading into Friday night.
A debut from the bench may be the more cautious route, allowing Liverpool to introduce his pace against a tiring Ipswich defence rather than asking him to carry a full workload immediately.
Why Liverpool Spent So Much on Barcola
Barcola arrives at Anfield with significantly more than just a huge price tag.
The former Lyon winger became an important attacking player for Paris Saint-Germain after moving to the French capital in 2023.
According to Reuters, Barcola finished his PSG spell with 39 goals and 37 assists in 152 appearances, while collecting major trophies including two Champions League titles, three Ligue 1 championships and two French Cups.
His versatility may prove just as important as his numbers.
Iraola has highlighted Barcola’s ability to operate on either side of Liverpool’s attack. Although he has frequently played from the left, he also spent time on the right earlier in his career with Lyon.
That flexibility could become particularly valuable as Iraola reshapes Liverpool’s attack following another significant summer of change.
Cody Gakpo Staying Gives Iraola Another Option
Barcola’s arrival also came against weeks of uncertainty surrounding Cody Gakpo.
The Netherlands international had been linked with a move away from Anfield during the transfer window, but Iraola confirmed he was pleased to keep him and praised Gakpo’s professionalism throughout the speculation.
Keeping Gakpo while adding Barcola gives Liverpool considerably more flexibility across the front line.
But the immediate question is no longer whether Liverpool have attacking talent.
It is whether that talent can start converting promising moments into victories.
Liverpool’s Early Warning Sign: Four Goals Conceded in Two Games
Liverpool have scored four Premier League goals this season.
They have also conceded four.
A 2-2 draw away at Newcastle was followed by another 2-2 result against Nottingham Forest at Anfield, meaning Iraola’s side have already dropped four points from their opening two league fixtures.
There have been encouraging attacking periods, but Liverpool’s inability to control matches consistently has left their new manager demanding improvement.
Reuters reported after the Forest draw that Iraola remained encouraged by elements of Liverpool’s aggressive, high-tempo approach but acknowledged problems with slow starts and defensive intensity.
Barcola can add speed, direct running and creativity.
He cannot, by himself, fix every issue Liverpool have shown without the ball.
That may ultimately determine whether his arrival transforms Liverpool immediately or simply gives Iraola another elite attacking weapon while deeper tactical problems continue to develop.
Ipswich Will Not Simply Step Aside
Liverpool will enter the Ipswich match as the bigger club with the more expensive squad, but Portman Road is unlikely to provide a comfortable night.
Promoted Ipswich opened their Premier League campaign with a victory over Sunderland before suffering a 5-2 defeat against Manchester United.
That makes Friday’s fixture important for both sides.
Ipswich will want to prove the heavy defeat at Old Trafford was an early setback rather than an indication of what awaits them against England’s biggest teams.
Liverpool, meanwhile, cannot afford to allow another match to drift.
Three straight league games without victory would intensify scrutiny around Iraola’s start at Anfield—especially after another summer in which Liverpool committed heavily to rebuilding the squad.
Liverpool Still Managing Several Injuries
Barcola’s arrival comes at an important time because Liverpool remain without several players.
Iraola said defender Joe Gomez is expected to return to training next week, while Giovanni Leoni could rejoin the squad around the international break.
Conor Bradley and striker Hugo Ekitike are expected to require longer recovery periods.
Those absences make Liverpool’s attacking and defensive depth increasingly important as domestic and European fixtures begin to pile up.
The Bigger Question After Liverpool’s Huge Summer Spending
Barcola’s transfer also arrived during another extraordinary Premier League spending spree.
Reuters reported that Premier League clubs spent approximately £3.46 billion during the 2026 summer transfer window, another record, with several deals exceeding £100 million. Barcola was among the marquee names involved.
Liverpool therefore are not simply betting on Barcola to produce spectacular individual moments.
They are betting that he can become a central part of a team trying to return to the Premier League’s highest level after finishing fifth last season and changing managers.
That makes the Ipswich match more interesting than a routine early-season trip to a newly promoted club.
Barcola may make his debut.
Iraola may finally have his preferred attacking reinforcement.
The transfer window distractions are gone.
Now comes the part that ultimately determines whether Liverpool’s expensive rebuild succeeds.
They have to start winning.
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