Iraola drops Barcola update as French journalist's claim is exposed

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Bradley Barcola set a Premier League record on his Liverpool debut as Andoni Iraola provides a hint about how he will be eased into the team. In the buildup to the game, French journalist Julien Laurens claimed that Barcola wasn’t ready to play any minutes for Liverpool, saying: “Fitness wise he’s not ready to even play I think a few minutes in the Premier League.

So they will need to work on his fitness before he’s able to play first team football.” Despite playing little more than half an hour, Barcola has already set the record for the first speed clocked in the Premier League this season, reaching a top speed of 35.9 km/h. Bradley Barcola has already recorded the top speed in the Premier League this season ??? pic.twitter.com/8P9cXLaP1l — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 5, 2026 The Reds needed more pace in their attack after last season saw them struggle to expose teams under Arne Slot, but the brief glimpse we got of Barcola on Friday night suggests that’s set to change.

“I think he has a very good pass. “He hasn’t played any competitive minutes since the World Cup, so we have to be a little bit more careful, but I think he has been very good.” Bradley Barcola vs Ipswich pic.twitter.com/CGVmeg8jDv — ?