Liverpool could line up in a number of interesting ways under Andoni IraolaBradley Barcola is a major target for Liverpool(Image: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP via Getty Images)Liverpool have been relatively quiet in the transfer market compared to 12 months ago – so far. 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. Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate followed the Dutchman out the door following the expiry of their respective contracts.Now, a new era is set to begin under Andoni Iraola. The former Bournemouth boss has signed Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz so far, but fans would argue that they will need more reinforcements before the season begins.One major target Iraola is focusing on is Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola. The winger is not an out-and-out replacement for Salah, but he can slot into multiple areas if Liverpool does complete his signing.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook pageOPINIONThe Reds face Newcastle in just three weeks’ time and also have a number of players sidelined for this curtain raiser. 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. Here, Mirror Football details three ways Liverpool could line up if the PSG star does join.4-2-3-1This is Iraola’s trusted system(Image: Supplied)Iraola will probably opt to implement his trusted system from his Bournemouth tenure with Alisson Becker anticipated to stay as No. 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. Ngumoha would play on the right, a switch Iraola deployed in the recent pre-season…
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2026-08-02 05:45:00
