Liverpool told they may have made a mistake with €145m Barcola signing

Updated: 15 Sept 2026 10:51 BST | 3 min read

Matthew Judge | Editor

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Paul Merson has questioned Liverpool over the signing of Bradley Barcola, saying he is not sure the winger is “what they needed”.

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Barcola joined Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain for an initial €125million (£107m) rising to €145m (£125m) with add-ons in August, with the Reds having made him their top target.

Liverpool needed to strengthen their options out wide this summer after club legend Mohamed Salah left at the end of last season.

Cody Gakpo also received interest from Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur before the Netherlands forward ended up staying at Anfield.

However, Arsenal legend Merson believes Liverpool may have made a mistake by spending big on France international Barcola.

Merson argues the Merseysiders needed a direct replacement for the right-sided Salah who has “more guile” than the electric, left-sided Barcola.

Writing in his Sky Sports column, Merson said: “I also like Bradley Barcola, but I'm not sure if he was what they (Liverpool) needed.

“If you said to me, ‘what's Barcola's game?’ He's quick. Now, you play at Liverpool, you don't really have to be that quick.

“You don't have to be like the fastest man in the Premier League. You've got to have a bit more. And at the moment, I am not sure.

“He'll have his games, don't get me wrong, but I think they needed someone with more guile.”

Merson says 'there's no other tactics' at Liverpool at the moment

Merson - who spent 11 seasons at Arsenal, winning two league titles - says not signing a direct replacement for Salah has left a creative void at Liverpool.

While Salah also possesses explosive pace, the Egypt star has an all-round game, having registered 18 assists as Liverpool won the Premier League title in 2024-25.

Merson added: “Mohamed Salah, when he ripped it up, had that guile and that is why he was so successful at the club.

“You don't just need pace at Liverpool. No one has a go at Liverpool. Everyone sits players behind the ball. There's no other tactics and that is a worry.”

After bringing an end to his nine-year association with Liverpool at the end of last season, Salah joined Turkish giants Trabzonspor on a free transfer in August.

Barcola meanwhile will hope to record his first goal contribution for Liverpool when they entertain Tottenham in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Anfield today.

The 24-year-old has started the last two games for Liverpool - against Fulham and Atletico Madrid - after making his debut as a substitute against Ipswich Town this month.