Jamie Carragher has voiced a clear opinion on Liverpool's upcoming transfer strategy, arguing that the club should not rush to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain. Instead, he believes the Anfield side must concentrate on finding a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right flank. According to recent reporting by 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 Parisian champions.
While the price tag and the player's talent are impressive, Carragher warns that adding Barcola would not address the most pressing need in Liverpool's squad. At present, Liverpool have a surplus of options on the left side of the attack. Players such as Cody Gakpo, the versatile Dutch international, Rio Ngumoha – a promising teenager who broke through last season – and the newly signed Victor Munoz all provide depth on the left wing. Carragher points out that the club is effectively over‑stocked in that area, leaving a glaring vacancy on the opposite wing where Salah traditionally operates.
"Barcola is a fantastic player, no doubt about it, and I would love to see him at Liverpool," Carragher told Sky Sports. "But he is primarily a left‑winger.
Liverpool's biggest problem right now looks like a lack of a natural right‑winger to replace Mo Salah. None of the current squad members feel completely comfortable playing on the right side of the pitch." He went on to explain that, before any potential arrival of Barcola, Liverpool already have at least four players who could comfortably occupy the left side. While none of those individuals may surpass Barcola in terms of raw ability, the balance of the squad would be disrupted if the club invests heavily in a left‑winger when the urgent requirement is on the opposite flank.
"If Liverpool were to sign Barcola and also bring in a right‑winger, that would be ideal," Carragher added. "But the summer market should first focus on finding a player who can step into Salah's shoes. Barcola simply does not fill that specific need." The conversation also touched on the potential impact of a Barcola signing on the development of young talent within the Liverpool academy, particularly Rio Ngumoha. The teenage winger, who turned 18 in August, enjoyed a breakout season last term, scoring two goals in 19 Premier League appearances and earning praise for his pace and dribbling.
Carragher acknowledged that bringing in a high‑profile, expensive left‑winger could inadvertently block Ngumoha's pathway to regular first‑team football. "Rio is a very talented youngster and I expect him to continue improving," Carragher said. "However, when you spend a large sum of money on a player who plays in the same position, it does raise questions about the future opportunities for a home‑grown prospect." He also noted that Liverpool had previously stated they would not pursue a left‑wing signing after the departure of Luis Díaz, citing the presence of Gakpo and the desire not to hinder Ngumoha's progress.
Yet, a year later, the club appears ready to spend heavily on a left‑winger, creating a seeming contradiction in their transfer philosophy. "Last season the narrative was: we have Gakpo, we don't need another left‑winger, and we want to protect Rio's development," Carragher explained. "Now, twelve months on, the club is prepared to break the bank for a player in that exact position. That inconsistency is puzzling." Carragher concluded by suggesting a more coherent approach: secure a right‑winger who can directly replace Salah, bring Barcola in as a versatile backup if the club still wishes to add depth, and then consider offloading some of the existing wide players to maintain squad balance.
"If they manage to get a right‑winger, add Barcola for depth, and trim the roster accordingly, that would be a fantastic move for Liverpool," he said. In summary, while Barcola's talent and market value are undeniable, Carragher stresses that Liverpool's immediate priority should be addressing the right‑wing vacancy left by Salah.
Over‑investing in a left‑winger could create positional redundancy, limit opportunities for emerging talents like Ngumoha, and ultimately disturb the squad's equilibrium. The former defender urges the club to adopt a clear, need‑based transfer strategy that aligns with both short‑term competitive goals and long‑term player development.