Liverpool given worrying Bradley Barcola verdict after Andoni Iraola injury update

· Mirror

Bradley Barcola started for Liverpool for the first time during their win over Atletico Madrid but the Frenchman had a wasteful night in front of goal

Liverpool's new signing Bradley Barcola played in their win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night but the Frenchman's finishing ability has been called out with Tim Sherwood, who claimed "he missed a few sitters".

Barcola completed his £123million move from PSG late in the summer transfer window with the two-time European champion seen as a difference maker for the Reds.

He made his debut off the bench in Friday's win at Ipswich and made his first start in the victory over Atletico in the Champions League. Barcola didn't contribute to either goal, even though he had his chances.

In the first half he saw a one-on-one effort saved by Jan Oblak and then, in the second 45, he was sent clear but with the goal at his mercy struck his effort wide in front of the Kop - which has seen him criticised for his wastefulness.

> Sherwood said on Sky Sports: “No, it wasn’t a good night. He had a lot of opportunities. He looked a threat, but he had a few opportunities bearing down Oblak and he just couldn’t find the finish. He’s not a fantastic finisher, I have to say that. A few sitters he missed tonight. > > “The good thing about him is that he stretches defenders. He runs without the ball, so you don’t have to take possession of the ball and dribble. He goes, checks and makes good runs.”

Barcola was withdrawn prematurely, but Andoni Iraola rebuffed any injury fears and revealed the winger was simply struggling with cramp. He also brushed off his goalless night and instead praised the Frenchman for finding himself in the right positions.

> He said: "With Bradley, it's about building his physical condition. We don't really know - or we didn't know until now, probably - how much he can play because he hasn't had any minutes in pre-season for PSG. He played 30 the other day [and] today we had some question marks, how many minutes he can give us and probably now we know. > > "I'm very happy because also he has had two very clear chances against the 'keeper. He hasn't scored, but I want him there. There is where he has to make the difference, arriving to those spots, those positions, and I'm very happy because in - I don't know how many minutes he's played - two times against the 'keeper is a good sign with Bradley."

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