Liverpool's Andoni Iraola Prepares for Ipswich Clash with Barcola and Gakpo

Andoni Iraola is wasting no time. Liverpool’s new manager is ready to throw £123m signing Bradley Barcola straight into the Premier League fire at Ipswich on Friday night – and he is just as clear that Cody Gakpo remains central to his plans despite Manchester City’s failed move.

Barcola fast-tracked for debut

Liverpool went big to land Barcola from PSG on the penultimate day of the window, paying an initial £106m in a deal that could climb to just under the club-record fee shelled out for Alexander Isak last summer. It is a huge outlay for a 21-year-old who has not played a single pre-season minute.

Iraola does not sound remotely bothered.

“We are very happy with Bradley; it was our priority to sign a very, very good player in those positions,” he said on Thursday. “He has also come with the right mentality. I like that he wanted Liverpool a lot. He wanted to come here.”

That desire has impressed the Basque coach as much as the talent.

“It’s a good first sign, and being the player he is, he has come with the willingness to help us. He is playing well for us [in training], and if everything goes well in training today, he will definitely be available for us tomorrow.”

Available is one thing. Starting is another. Asked whether Barcola is ready for the XI or more likely to be eased in from the bench, Iraola admitted the call is still live.

“I see him in a good place,” he said. “He has trained for us; indeed, he hasn’t had minutes in pre-season. He has been training, and it’s a decision we have to make. But we have to consider he hasn’t had minutes in pre-season games.”

The temptation to unleash him immediately will be strong. So is the manager’s insistence on managing expectations.

“We can’t put pressure on the players to perform because of their price because we’ve seen how much players have cost at other teams this summer. Once he is our player, he is our player!”

Gakpo stays – and starts

Deadline day told a different story for Cody Gakpo. While Barcola arrived, Liverpool’s owners FSG shut the door on an £80m offer from Manchester City for the Dutchman. That kind of bid can unsettle a dressing room and a player. Iraola has moved quickly to make sure it does not.

“My relationship with Cody has been very honest from the beginning,” he explained. “He has played very well for us so far.

“He was always aware of the situation in the market; we were constantly talking, and I hope we can keep him at the same level. He is in a good place physically and mentally, and I’m very happy to pick him.”

Gakpo has already held clear-the-air talks with the ownership. Iraola’s message is blunt: you are wanted, you are important, you play. That stance could be tested as soon as Friday at Portman Road.

Life after Salah on the right

The elephant in any Liverpool team sheet still sits on the right wing. Mohamed Salah has not been directly replaced, at least not by a like-for-like specialist. Iraola is unfazed by that accusation of imbalance.

“We prefer at the end to have the best players rather than players specifically for that position,” he said.

He wants flexibility, not rigid chalk-on-the-boots roles.

“I’m used at other teams to demand wingers to play on both sides. We’ve played with Rio and Cody now on the right; probably most of the wingers play on the left, but I’ve seen them good on the right.

“Bradley is very open and can play on the left or the right. At Lyon, he sometimes played on the right. It depends on the match-ups, but I’m happy with the wingers we have, and we are going to be able to cope on the right.”

The message is clear: no specialist, no panic. Iraola wants his wide players rotating, interchanging, asking different questions of defenders from week to week. Barcola’s versatility fits that blueprint neatly.

Market closed, excuses gone

Results, though, have yet to follow. Liverpool have opened the league campaign with back-to-back 2-2 draws. For a club of this size, that quickly grates.

“Definitely. If you don’t win, you are frustrated,” Iraola admitted. “It’s only two games, but we need to win.”

He will not hide behind the calendar.

“This game tomorrow, the first two games weeks are the most difficult, but I’m much more comfortable now the market is closed, and we know who we are. We have to perform and do our job.”

The squad is set. The noise of the window has stopped. Now it is about points, not prices.

Tough test at Portman Road

Ipswich will not roll out a red carpet for Iraola’s first win.

“Ipswich are a team that won their first game at home,” he warned. “Even the other day, in the first half they were the better team until United got the 2-1 and the game opened up. We have to be ready, give our best.”

Portman Road can be unforgiving when the home side senses vulnerability. Liverpool arrive with a record signing who has barely kicked a ball this summer, a key forward who almost joined the champions, and a new manager still hunting his first victory.

Barcola could light the place up. Gakpo could remind everyone why City came calling. Or Ipswich could turn the early-season tension up another notch.

For Iraola, the debating is over. The window is shut. Now we find out what this Liverpool actually looks like.