Andoni Iraola’s three new Liverpool starting XIs with blockbuster Bradley Barcola transfer

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The Reds dropped a whopping £446million on the likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez ahead of the 2024-25 Premier League season.But that outlay didn't result in the retention of the title as Arne Slot's side ended up trophyless and the Dutchman out of a job. Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are all unavailable, meaning Iraola will need to adapt.Should Barcola be brought in before the Premier League opener, and Munoz also available, the Reds could set up totally differently going forward.

1 this season.This setup would allow the Reds to operate a flat back four with active wing-backs in Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, alongside Virgil van Dijk and Jacquet at centre-back.It's in midfield where a double pivot of Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch could anchor the side, while a lethal attacking trio of Rio Ngumoha, Wirtz and Barcola would operate behind Isak leading the line.In this setup, Barcola would occupy his preferred left-sided position, where he has netted 32 goals and provided 32 assists for PSG and Lyon. New signing Munoz would slot into his preferred position on the left flank with both wide men delivering balls into Isak, who would operate as a lone striker.This could even shift into a compact 4-5-1 without possession, should the Reds need to protect a lead.4-4-1-1This setup places Wirtz on the left and Ngumoha on the right of a four-man midfield, with Szoboszlai and Gravenberch forming a two-man defensive shield.

However, this would represent Iraola's wildcard option, potentially shifting Barcola into the hole behind Isak.Barcola has featured as a centre-forward on more than 20 occasions, contributing a respectable nine goals. It's not an extensive sample, but the winger is known for cutting inside and frequently taking on opponents in central areas.With a dependable midfield quartet behind him, and Wirtz and Ngumoha controlling the supply lines down either flank, Barcola could be handed the opportunity to forge a lethal partnership with Isak, operating just behind him in an unfamiliar yet potentially devastating No.