Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has voiced a clear opinion on the club's upcoming transfer strategy: Liverpool should not waste resources on signing French winger Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint‑Germain, but instead focus on finding a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right flank. Carragher explained his view during a conversation with Sky Sports News, highlighting the imbalance in the current squad and the risk of overlooking home‑grown talent. According to recent reports, Liverpool are preparing an initial bid for Barcola, a 24‑year‑old French international who has attracted interest from Arsenal and is reportedly valued at around £128.5 million by the Parisian side.
While the price tag and the player's potential are impressive, Carragher argued that Barcola is primarily a left‑winger, a position where Liverpool already have several options. He pointed to the recent acquisitions of Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and the newly signed Victor Munoz as evidence that the club is already well‑stocked on the left side.
"He's a great player, there's no doubt about that – I'd love to get Barcola at Liverpool," Carragher said. "But he's a left winger for me.
Liverpool's big thing that stands out like a sore thumb right now is replacing Mo Salah, a right winger. And I don't think Liverpool have got anybody really in the squad who looks fully comfortable playing right wing." Carragher continued, noting that before any potential Barcola signing, Liverpool already have at least four players capable of operating comfortably on the left.
He stressed that while none of those players may be superior to Barcola in terms of raw talent, the squad's overall balance would suffer if the club added another left‑footed attacker without addressing the glaring need on the opposite wing. "Now, I'm not saying any of those players are better than Barcola.
But in terms of the balance of the squad, it's not the position Liverpool need right now. They need a right winger," he added.
"If you were to say, 'Do I want Barcola and also a right winger?' I'd be delighted, because that would mean the club is addressing both sides. But as it stands, this summer should be about finding a direct replacement for Salah. Barcola doesn't replace Mo Salah." The former defender also raised concerns about the impact a Barcola signing could have on Liverpool's promising youngster Rio Ngumoha. The teenage winger, who will turn 18 in August, enjoyed a breakout season last term, scoring two goals in 19 Premier League appearances.
Carragher warned that spending a large sum on an established player could potentially block Ngumoha's pathway to regular first‑team football. "That is a thought," Carragher replied when asked about Ngumoha's development. "Rio's 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's better than Rio Ngumoha right now." He acknowledged that Ngumoha could be deployed on the right wing to gain experience, but emphasized that his natural position is currently on the left. Carragher recalled the debate that followed Liverpool's sale of Luis Diaz, when the club publicly stated they were not looking for a left winger because Gakpo was already available and they did not want to hinder Ngumoha's progression. "A year later, Rio has proven himself a tasty prospect, yet Liverpool are still prepared to break the bank for a player in that same position," Carragher observed, expressing his confusion over the club's contradictory signals.
The former Liverpool stalwart concluded by outlining a possible solution: "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." In other words, a balanced approach that addresses both flanks while also managing the squad size would be ideal. Carragher's comments arrive at a crucial juncture for Liverpool, as the club prepares for the 2026/27 season and faces a congested fixture list. Fans and pundits alike are eager to see how the management will navigate the transfer market, especially given the financial constraints imposed by recent UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations.
While the allure of a high‑profile signing like Barcola is undeniable, Carragher's analysis reminds Liverpool that strategic squad composition—particularly securing a right‑winger who can fill Salah's shoes—should remain the top priority. In summary, Carragher appreciates Barcola's abilities but questions the fit for Liverpool's immediate needs. He urges the club to prioritize a right‑wing solution, protect the development of promising talents such as Rio Ngumoha, and avoid overloading the left side with redundant options.
The former defender's perspective adds a nuanced voice to the ongoing transfer debate, highlighting the importance of squad balance, player pathways, and prudent financial planning as Liverpool looks to maintain its competitive edge in both domestic and European competitions.