Jamie Carragher has warned Bradley Barcola that he could struggle to secure a regular first-team starting place at Liverpool following Cody Gakpo’s outstanding performance against Ipswich Town.
Barcola completed a blockbuster £123million move from Paris Saint-Germain shortly before the transfer window closed, arriving on Merseyside as one of Europe’s most expensive attacking players.
The 24-year-old made his Liverpool debut from the bench during Friday night’s 2-0 Premier League victory at Portman Road.
However, it was Gakpo who produced the decisive contribution as Alexander Isak scored both goals to propel the Reds into the top five.
The Netherlands international created each of Isak’s strikes with two perfectly weighted passes, continuing his excellent start to the season despite nearly leaving Anfield only days earlier.
Gakpo had been eager to join Manchester City after rejecting interest from Tottenham, but Liverpool ultimately blocked the proposed move after failing to identify a suitable replacement.
That decision already appears to have been vindicated.
Carragher believes the 27-year-old’s performance has immediately placed pressure on Barcola as the France international attempts to force his way into Andoni Iraola’s preferred side.
Jamie Carragher has warned Bradley Barcola that he could struggle to secure a regular first-team starting place at Liverpool following Cody Gakpo’s outstanding performance against Ipswich Town
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Writing on X, the former Liverpool defender delivered a blunt assessment of the competition facing the club’s expensive new recruit.
“Barcola is going to struggle to get a game with this version of Gakpo,” Carragher said.
His verdict was quickly supported by Liverpool fans, many of whom praised Gakpo for tormenting the Ipswich defence throughout the match.
Gakpo has now created goals for Isak in consecutive league appearances after also providing an assist for the Swedish striker against Nottingham Forest.
Cody Gakpo was impressive as Liverpool breezed past Ipswich Town
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Their developing understanding offers Iraola another potent attacking combination as Liverpool attempt to challenge near the top of the Premier League.
Captain Virgil van Dijk was delighted that his international team-mate remained on Merseyside and stressed that Gakpo still has a major role to play this season.
“Cody was outstanding,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.
“He’s important for us and he will be important this season as well.
“He showed it today, last week as well with the assist and over the last couple of years.”
Gakpo also appeared to dismiss suggestions that Liverpool’s refusal to sanction his move had left him unhappy.
“Hopefully we will do many beautiful things together,” he said.
“I am happy.”
Bradley Barcola made his debut for Liverpool following his move from PSG
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Barcola was signed to inject pace, creativity and greater depth into Liverpool’s attack following his successful spell with PSG.
Yet his arrival does not guarantee an automatic starting position, particularly if Gakpo continues producing performances of this standard.
The battle for places could ultimately benefit Liverpool, with Iraola now able to select from several high-profile forwards during a demanding campaign.
The Reds are next in action against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night (8pm).
