Liverpool are entering an exciting new chapter under Andoni Iraola, though the full picture of what this squad can achieve remains unclear heading into the new season.
Ongoing injury concerns, late returns following the World Cup, and unfinished transfer business mean Iraola will not have his strongest squad available for some time.
Pre-season has begun in America, but the travelling party is heavily populated with youth players rather than first-team regulars expected to lead the title charge.
However, Dominik Szoboszlai has been spurring teammates on and thriving in recent weeks, laying down the gauntlet to anyone challenging him for the vacant vice-captaincy.
The Hungarian midfielder arrived from RB Leipzig for £60m as a big talent, physical and robust, but left something to be desired across his first two years on Merseyside before blossoming into a genuine superstar.
Szoboszlai scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists across all competitions last season, with former manager Arne Slot describing him as “maybe the best in the world at pressing.”
He proved a steadying force as Liverpool’s campaign teetered, and without his contributions the club would not have secured a last-minute Champions League qualification spot.
His efforts in pre-season have strengthened the case for Iraola to appoint him as Virgil van Dijk’s deputy, a reward for his talismanic emergence at the club over the past 12 months.
Now FSG believe they can add an attacking talent capable of matching Szoboszlai’s impact, with Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola firmly in their sights this summer.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcola remains intent on joining Liverpool after rejecting a contract extension with the back-to-back Champions League holders at PSG.
Romano stated: “Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, agents of the player, are in regular contact. The real point is going to be about the transfer fee, because in terms of personal terms, there is going to be no problem. Bradley Barcola is super keen on Liverpool.”
Arsenal had also been in the race for the 23-year-old, but Liverpool have done their due diligence and are now forging ahead to agree a fee with PSG.
Liverpool will not entertain PSG’s £145m valuation, though they will likely need to cross the nine-digit mark to get any deal over the line.
Barcola has scored 34 goals across the past two seasons with PSG, and Como scout Ben Mattinson has already described him as “one of the best left wingers in the world.”
The France international can play across the frontline, a trait Iraola values highly, and his pace and direct running style would add a dimension Liverpool visibly lacked last season.
Mohamed Salah’s departure left a significant void, and neither Salah nor Cody Gakpo managed to deliver consistently enough to ease the burden on Szoboszlai throughout the campaign.
Barcola’s potential connection with the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz is an enticing prospect, both big-money arrivals with points to prove at Anfield this season.
His arrival would ease the talismanic pressure placed on Szoboszlai’s shoulders, with the midfielder’s pinpoint free-kicks having bailed Liverpool out of numerous difficult situations last year.
Barcola does not solve every problem Liverpool face this summer, but successfully integrating the French star into Iraola’s system would be a significant step forward for the club.
If the winger continues his development and kicks on under Iraola, he could stake a genuine claim to being Liverpool’s most important signing in several years.