Liverpool winger Bradley Barcola has been criticised after struggling in the club’s 3-2 Champions League defeat away to Fenerbahce, with James Pearce saying the France international needed to offer more.
Barcola joined Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain in a big-money move this summer but has yet to make a sustained impact. His only goals have come in a three-goal performance against LASK, while he has recorded two assists but no other goals across 12 appearances.
Pearce highlighted Barcola’s performance during Wednesday night’s match, writing on X: “Barcola has to give Liverpool more here. He’s really struggled tonight.”
Barcola facing pressure to improve at Liverpool
The 24-year-old arrived at Anfield with a growing reputation from his time at PSG and with the France national team. However, his adaptation has been complicated by the change in his role.
Barcola was not a regular starter at PSG, where competition for places in attack was intense. At Liverpool, he is being asked to take on greater responsibility and perform as one of the team’s leading attacking players.
His difficult start comes during a period of wider change at the Merseyside club. Liverpool are adjusting to new manager Andoni Iraola, while established figures including Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konate left during the summer.
Barcola is not the only high-profile Liverpool arrival to have endured a challenging beginning. Florian Wirtz has also struggled to reproduce his previous form, while Alexander Isak made a slow start before showing signs of improvement this season.
The defeat in Turkey has increased scrutiny on Barcola, although he has time to respond as he continues adapting to a new club, a new manager and a more prominent role within the Liverpool attack.
