Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has addressed the condition of forward Bradley Barcola.
The Merseysiders secured a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. During the match, Barcola was substituted, raising concerns among supporters.
At the post-match press conference, the manager calmed fans down:
"No, he just cramped up. There’s no injury. With Bradley, we just need to build his fitness gradually.
We weren’t entirely sure about what load to give him, as he missed the entire pre-season at PSG and had very little match practice. Recently he played for 30 minutes. Today, we were uncertain about how long he could last, but now we have a clearer picture."
Iraola also praised the winger's performance on the pitch:
"I’m very pleased with his game. He faced the goalkeeper one-on-one twice. Yes, he didn’t score, but that is exactly what is expected from him. He needs to make a difference by consistently getting into those killer positions.
For me, this is a great sign: during the short time he was on the pitch, he created two clear-cut chances. Bradley is on the right track."
