Former Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher has voiced a clear opinion on the club's current transfer strategy, arguing that the Reds should not chase Paris Saint‑Germain winger Bradley Barcola at this stage. Instead, he believes Liverpool must concentrate on finding a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right flank. According to a recent Sky Sports News report, Liverpool are reportedly preparing an initial bid for the 24‑year‑old French forward. Barcola, who has attracted interest from Arsenal and is reportedly valued at around £128.5 million by the French champions, appears to be on the radar of several top clubs.
Yet Carragher cautions that Barcola is fundamentally a left‑winger, a position where Liverpool already possess a surplus of options. Carragher highlighted the club's existing left‑wing depth, mentioning the likes of Cody Gakpo, the newly signed Victor Muñoz and the emerging talent Rio Ngumoha. "He's a great player, there's no doubt about that – I’d love to get Barcola at Liverpool," Carragher told Sky Sports. "But he’s a left winger for me." The former defender went on to explain why this matters for Liverpool's squad balance.
"Liverpool’s biggest issue at the moment looks like replacing Mo Salah, a right winger. And I don’t think we have anyone in the current squad who feels completely comfortable on the right wing." He added that, before any potential Barcola signing, Liverpool already have at least four players capable of operating on the left side.
"I’m not saying any of those players are better than Barcola, but in terms of squad equilibrium, the position Liverpool need right now is a right winger, not a left one," Carragher said. When pressed about the scenario of signing Barcola while also bringing in a right‑winger, Carragher replied, "I’d be delighted if that happened because it would free up other players to move on. But this summer, in my view, the priority should be finding a direct replacement for Salah. Barcola simply does not fill that need." The conversation also turned to the potential impact on Liverpool’s youngest winger, Rio Ngumoha.
The teenager, who will turn 18 in August, impressed last season with two goals in 19 Premier League appearances. Carragher acknowledged that splurging on Barcola could hinder Ngumoha’s progression. "That is a thought," he said.
"Rio is a young lad, he’s really good, and I think he’ll continue to develop from where he left off last season." Carragher noted the paradox of spending a large sum on a player who occupies the same position as a promising academy graduate. "You’re paying a lot of money for a young player in his position, and that makes you scratch your head a little," he remarked.
He also suggested that Ngumoha could be utilised on the right side to gain experience, but emphasized that his natural position remains on the left. Reflecting on Liverpool’s previous transfer decisions, Carragher recalled the outcry when the club sold Luis Díaz and announced they would not pursue a left‑winger because Gakpo seemed sufficient.
At that time, there were concerns about blocking Ngumoha’s pathway. "I understood that to a certain extent," Carragher said, "but now, a year later, Rio has proven himself as a tasty prospect. Yet Liverpool appear ready to break the bank for another left‑winger." He expressed confusion over the club’s shifting stance, noting that the earlier reluctance to block Ngumoha’s development now seems at odds with a potential high‑price signing in the same role. "There are a few things with Liverpool transfer‑wise at the moment where I’m still scratching my head," Carragher admitted.
In conclusion, Carragher outlined a potential solution: secure a right‑winger, bring Barcola in if the club still wishes, and then offload some of the current wide‑players to restore balance. "If they go out and get a player for the right wing, bring Barcola in and then sell a couple of the wide players that they have on the books right now, I think that’d be fantastic," he said. Overall, Carragher’s message is clear: Liverpool’s immediate priority should be to address the void left by Salah on the right side, rather than adding depth to an already well‑stocked left flank. By focusing on a right‑wing solution and allowing young talents like Rio Ngumoha to continue their development, the club can maintain a balanced squad while still having the flexibility to make strategic signings in the future.