Jamie Carragher has voiced a clear opinion on Liverpool's upcoming transfer strategy: the club does not need to chase Paris Saint‑Germain winger Bradley Barcola, but should instead concentrate on finding a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right flank. Carragher explained that while Barcola is a talented left‑sided attacker, Liverpool's most pressing need lies on the opposite wing, where the departure of Salah has left a noticeable void. According to recent reporting from Sky Sports News, Liverpool are preparing an initial bid for the 24‑year‑old French international.
Barcola, who has attracted interest from Arsenal as well, is reportedly valued at around £128.5 million by the Parisian side. The potential move has sparked a lively debate among fans and pundits alike, but Carragher cautioned that adding another left‑winger would only deepen an existing imbalance in the squad.
At present, Liverpool possess a number of options on the left side of the pitch. Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and the newly signed Victor Muñoz are all capable of operating in that area, giving the manager a reasonable pool of talent to draw from.
Carragher pointed out that the club appears to be stockpiling players for a single position, while the right wing – the area where Salah thrived – remains under‑served. "He’s a great player, there’s no doubt about that – I would love to get Barcola at Liverpool," Carraghan told Sky Sports.
"But he is a left winger for me. Liverpool's big problem that stands out like a sore thumb right now is replacing Mo Salah, a right winger. And I don’t think Liverpool have anyone in the squad who feels fully comfortable playing on the right." Carragher went on to stress that the club already has at least four players who could comfortably fill a left‑wing role if Barcola were to join, but none who can naturally occupy the right side. He clarified that he is not dismissing Barcola's quality – "I’m not saying any of those players are better than Barcola" – but argued that squad balance is more important than simply adding another high‑profile name.
"In terms of the balance of the squad, it’s not the position Liverpool need right now. They need a right winger," he said.
When asked whether he would be pleased if Liverpool signed Barcola and simultaneously secured a right‑winger, Carragher replied enthusiastically: "I would be absolutely delighted because players would have to move on. Of course they would.
But right now I feel this summer is about replacing Mo Salah. Barcola doesn’t replace Mo Salah." The conversation also turned to the potential impact of a Barcola signing on Liverpool's promising teenage winger, Rio Ngumoha. The 18‑year‑old broke through last season, scoring two goals in 19 Premier League appearances and earning praise for his pace and technical ability. Carragher acknowledged the risk that a big-money acquisition could block Ngumoha's pathway to regular first‑team football.
"That is a thought," he said. "Rio is a young lad, he’s really good. I think he’s going to kick on from where he did last season.
But you are buying a really young player for a lot of money in Barcola, who is better than Rio Ngumoha right now." Carragher added that Ngumoha could still develop by playing on both wings, but his natural position is currently on the left. He recalled the debate that surrounded Liverpool's sale of Luis Díaz last summer, when the club argued it did not need a left winger because Gakpo could fill that role and the club did not want to hinder Ngumoha's progress. "Twelve months later, Rio has proven himself a tasty player," Carragher noted.
"And yet Liverpool are prepared to break the bank for someone in that same position. That seems contradictory." The former defender summed up his confusion by saying that Liverpool appear to be sending mixed signals with their transfer policy. "There are a few things with Liverpool transfer‑wise at the moment where I’m still scratching my head a little bit," he admitted. "If they go out and get a player for the right wing, bring Barcola in and then sell a couple of the wide players they have on the books right now, I think that would be fantastic." In essence, Carragher is urging Liverpool to adopt a more strategic approach: secure a proven right‑wing talent who can step into Salah's shoes, then consider adding depth on the left if necessary.
By doing so, the club would avoid overcrowding a single flank while ensuring that emerging talents like Ngumoha continue to receive valuable minutes. The overarching message is clear – Liverpool's immediate priority should be to restore balance to their attack by addressing the right‑wing deficiency, rather than chasing a high‑priced left‑winger who does not solve the core problem.