Danny Murphy urges patience as Bradley Barcola seeks first Liverpool goal

Bradley Barcola’s goalless start at Liverpool has prompted early scrutiny of a major signing, but former Reds midfielder Danny Murphy believes the France forward needs fitness rather than a rapid correction to his form.

Early Liverpool appearances

Barcola has featured four times in three competitions since arriving at Anfield, starting twice and appearing as a substitute on the other two occasions. He has been used on both flanks and has shown flashes of his pace and quality, although he is still waiting for his first Liverpool goal.

• Only Alexander Isak and Manchester City’s Enzo Fernandez have carried larger transfer fees in British football, with both moves valued at £125m ($167m).
• Isak’s own first season on Merseyside was disrupted by injury, and he did not score his first Premier League goal until November 2025.
• Barcola has played on the left and right, but is expected to become Liverpool’s principal option on the left side.

Murphy said the pressure on an attacking player exists at every price point, as forwards want to demonstrate their ability to supporters and team-mates quickly. However, he felt Barcola’s display against Atletico was encouraging, with the winger looking sharp before tiring late on.

He also noted that Barcola was less effective against Fulham, viewing that as evidence that the new arrival is not yet ready to play every match at full intensity. Murphy pointed to a counter-attack involving Florian Wirtz, when Barcola went through on goal before sending his effort wide, as the sort of chance that could have accelerated his start.

Murphy sees no confidence concern

Murphy does not expect the missed opportunity or slow scoring start to affect Barcola significantly. He believes the forward’s experience of performing for a major club, alongside elite players and under sustained expectation, will help him cope with the attention attached to his move.

By comparison, Murphy suggested Wirtz has faced a longer adjustment period after arriving from Bayer Leverkusen with a similarly substantial fee. Barcola, he argued, has only recently joined Liverpool and has the profile of a natural scorer, making match sharpness the principal issue rather than confidence.

Long-term recruitment plan

Barcola had also been linked with Arsenal and Manchester United before Liverpool completed the deal. Murphy’s view is that Liverpool had tracked him for some time, rather than reacting suddenly when he became available.

• Murphy believes a transfer of Barcola’s scale would have required extensive planning from Liverpool’s recruitment department.
• He expects Barcola to take over primarily on the left wing.
• Cody Gakpo had at one stage appeared likely to leave, but remained after Liverpool did not bring in a right-sided replacement.
• Murphy described Barcola as a likely upgrade on Gakpo, whose previous season he assessed as no better than average.

Barcola played a part as Liverpool beat Tottenham to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round, where Chelsea will visit Anfield. The next opportunity for him to make a more decisive contribution comes at Bournemouth on Saturday, with Liverpool defending their unbeaten opening to the 2026-27 campaign before he joins France for UEFA Nations League duty.