Liverpool Boss Breaks Silence on £239m Flops Wirtz and Barcola

Andoni Iraola says Wirtz and Barcola will deliver for Liverpool

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has insisted he trusts Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola “100 per cent” to turn their Anfield careers around, with the Reds facing extra scrutiny ahead of their Champions League trip to LASK amid an injury crisis.

Iraola defends Wirtz and Barcola as Liverpool injury crisis deepens...

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has backed big-money signings Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola to find their form despite slow starts to their Anfield careers.

Wirtz arrived last year in a deal that could reportedly reach £116 million, but he has so far struggled to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League.

The Germany international, who shot to prominence during Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten Bundesliga title run in 2022/23, has managed just seven goals in 56 appearances for Liverpool.

Barcola is only six games into his Liverpool career following a £123 million move from Paris Saint-Germain, but he is yet to register a goal or an assist for his new club.

“I think they've had good games and bad games this season, like everyone else, but they are two players that we know their level and they will give us for sure good performances,” Iraola said ahead of his side's Champions League trip to face Austrian champions LASK.

Under the lights in Linz 💫 #UCL https://t.co/lwAdUII7AZ

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 13, 2026

The former Bournemouth manager believes Barcola's display in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday would have been seen differently if Lewis Koumas had converted his pass when the match was still goalless early in the second half.

“I was happy with a lot of things the other day with Bradley,” Iraola added. “He had good situations, we just didn't finish them but him and Flo are players that I trust 100 per cent.”

 

Andoni Iraola speaks to the media ahead of Wednesday's #UCL match against LASK 🎙️👇 https://t.co/d29BacgR5p

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 13, 2026

The spotlight on Barcola and Wirtz has intensified with Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai all sidelined through injury.

None of the three have travelled to Austria, though Iraola is hopeful they will return soon.

“They are not far, but it's difficult to tell you right now,” said Iraola.

Liverpool travel to Brentford on Sunday before hosting Villarreal and Brighton next week.

“I don't know if they're going to be ready for Brentford, for Villarreal or Brighton.”