Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has weighed in on the club's transfer strategy, insisting that the Reds do not need to splurge on Paris Saint‑Germain winger Bradley Barcola at this stage. Instead, Carragher argues that Liverpool's most pressing need is to find a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right flank, a position that currently lacks a clear first‑team option. According to recent reports from Sky Sports News, Liverpool are preparing an initial bid for the 24‑year‑old French forward.
Barcola, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal, is reportedly valued at around £128.5 million by the French champions. While the figure underscores his potential, Carragher believes the Reds are over‑investing in a player whose natural position is on the left wing, a side already well‑stocked with talent. At present, Liverpool have several viable choices for the left side of attack. Cody Gakpo, who has shown versatility and goal‑scoring ability, Rio Ngumoha – a promising teenager who broke through last season with two Premier League goals in 19 appearances – and the newly signed Victor Muñoz all provide depth and competition.
Carragher points out that, with these options, Liverpool risk piling up talent in one area while neglecting the opposite wing, where Salah's departure has left a noticeable void. "Barcola is a fantastic player – there’s no doubt about his quality – and I would love to see him in a Liverpool shirt," Carragher told Sky Sports. "But he is fundamentally a left‑winger. The glaring issue for Liverpool right now is finding a right‑winger who can fill Mohamed Salah's shoes.
At the moment, I don’t see anyone in the current squad who feels completely comfortable on the right flank." He went on to explain that the squad already has at least four players capable of operating on the left side, whether Barcola joins or not. This redundancy, in Carragher's view, does not address the imbalance that the team currently faces. "I’m not saying any of those players are worse than Barcola," he added, "but in terms of squad balance, Liverpool need a right‑winger, not another left‑winger." Carragher also addressed the hypothetical scenario of Liverpool signing Barcola while simultaneously acquiring a right‑winger. "If the club were to bring in both players, I would be delighted," he said.
"That would allow the squad to retain depth on the left while finally solving the right‑wing problem. However, the priority this summer should be to replace Salah.
Barcola does not solve that specific need." The discussion also touched on the potential impact of a Barcola signing on the development of Rio Ngumoha. The teenager, who turns 18 in August, impressed during his breakout season, earning valuable minutes and scoring twice in the league.
Carragher acknowledged the concern that a high‑profile signing could block Ngumoha's pathway to regular first‑team football. "Rio is a young lad with a lot of promise," Carragher remarked. "He will likely continue to progress after last season’s performances. Yet, spending a large sum on Barcola – a player who is currently considered better than Ngumoha – raises questions about the club’s long‑term planning." He added that while Ngumoha could be deployed on the right wing to gain experience, his natural inclination appears to be on the left, where he has already shown his capabilities.
"It’s fine for a youngster to play on both flanks, but his primary position is the left." Carragher reflected on Liverpool’s previous transfer decisions, recalling the backlash when the club sold Luis Díaz and announced they would not pursue a left‑winger because Gakpo was already available. At that time, the club also emphasized protecting Ngumoha’s development. "Back then, the message was clear: we didn’t want to block Rio’s progress," Carragher said. "Now, a year later, after Rio has proven himself a tasty prospect, Liverpool appear ready to break the bank for a left‑winger.
That seems contradictory." He concluded by suggesting a more coherent approach: "If Liverpool can secure a right‑winger, bring Barcola in as a left‑wing option, and then offload a couple of the wide players who are surplus to requirements, that would be an ideal solution. It would address the immediate need for a Salah replacement while maintaining depth on both flanks." In summary, Carragher’s analysis highlights a strategic mismatch between Liverpool’s current transfer targets and the squad’s actual needs.
While Barcola’s talent is undeniable, the club’s priority, according to the former defender, should be to acquire a right‑winger capable of replicating Salah’s impact, ensuring a balanced and competitive lineup for the upcoming season.