Despite being yet to win two matches into this Premier League this season, held to 2-2 draws by both Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, there are reasons for Liverpool fans to be positive. Top of that list has to be the imminent arrival of Bradley Barcola.
The France international is poised to put pen to paper on a long-term contract at AXA Training Centre on Sunday, arriving from Paris Saint-German for £123 million. Fans are certainly hoping that Barcola will be ready to debut when Andoni Iraola's team take on Ipswich Town at Portman Road next Friday night.
Speaking following Saturday's stalemate with Forest at Anfield, while acknowledging the deal is not yet finalised, Virgl van Dijk was clearly excited about the prospect of Barcola's impending arrival:
"He's a good player, that's the only thing I can say... I don't think there's any doubt that a club like Liverpool is very attractive to very good players. This is one of the biggest clubs in the world... you either want to be a part of it or you don't."
"He's a player with pace. I remember a goal he scored against Chelsea. If he comes here then he will be welcomed with open arms. Until it's official there's no point speaking about it"Virgil van Dijk on Bradley Barcola
When Barcola scored a banger against Chelsea and hit the Drogba celebration at Stamford Bridge 💥 pic.twitter.com/apmwHEokuV
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 27, 2026
Barcola will clearly be a transformational signing for the Reds. It is clear that the France international is one of the most talented and exciting wide attackers in world football and, at 23 years old, he is likely to only get even better.
However, he alone surely will not be able to solve all of Liverpool's issues. The first two Premier League matches have exposed their weaknesses at both full-back and midfield, areas that are seemingly not going to be addressed before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
Well, the club captain was willing to admit that this team are not where they want to be right now.
"We all know that we're going through a little bit of a transition... it's about continuing to push each other... we have to fight for everything with no regrets... we have to score more, concede less, dominate more with and without the ball... it's down to us to make sure we are a unit, every member of the squad together with our fans. "Virgil van Dijk
The Dutchman also noted "that shouldn't happen" with reference to the fact that the Reds have failed to beat Nottingham Forest at home in three successive seasons. The Tricky Trees had not won at Anfield since before the Moon Landing, before claiming victory on Merseyside both times they visited during Arne Slot's tenure, prior to the hard-fought 2-2 draw to spoil Iraola's home opener.
So, with a pretty winnable set of fixtures coming up, before it starts to get significantly tougher, Liverpool's performance levels must improve, before any pressure starts to mount on Iraola.
Liverpool's next 11 fixtures:
- Friday 4 September: Ipswich Town - Portman Road. Premier League. Kick off 8pm.
- Wednesday 9 September: Atlético Madrid - Anfield. Champions League. Kick off 8pm.
- Saturday 12 September: Fulham - Anfield. Premier League. Kick off 3pm.
- Wednesday 16 September: Tottenham Hotspur - Anfield. EFL Cup. Kick off 8pm.
- Sunday 20 September: Bournemouth - Vitality Stadium. Premier League. Kick off 2pm.
- Sunday 11 October: Manchester City - Etihad Stadium. Premier League. Kick off 4:30pm.
- Tuesday 14 October: LASK - Raiffeisen Arena. Champions League. Kick off 5:45pm.
- Saturday 17 October: Brentford - Gtech Community Stadium. Premier League. Kick off 3pm.
- Tuesday 20 October: Villarreal - Anfield. Champions League. Kick off 8pm.
- Saturday 24 October: Brighton & Hove Albion - Anfield. Premier League. Kick off 3pm.
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