How Would Liverpool's Top Transfer Target Bradley Barcola Fit Into Andoni Iraola's Side?

Bradley Barcola is Liverpool's number one target this summer, but what isn't fully clear is what role he will play in Andoni Iraola's LFC side?

It is obvious that he is being brought in as another top level option on the wing for Liverpool, but with Cody Gakpo, Victor Munoz, Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha all being left wingers, where will Barcola fit in given he himself is also a left winger?

The solution will be that one or two of these left wingers will be moved to play on the right hand side most of the time, while also having the flexibility to play on the left should the game and Iraola deem it necessary.

This has been seen at Liverpool before, where Sadio Mane was moved out to the left hand side to accommodate Mohamed Salah, who arrived at the club and was firmly a right winger. And, as shown by their success together, and as a trio with Roberto Firmino, that positional move was one that paid off for all parties.

But then the question is, who will be the one to move onto the right hand side?

In pre-season, Andoni Iraola experimented with a number of players on the side, with Victor Munoz, Federico Chiesa, Rio Ngumoha and even academy player Kieran Morrison all being given the opportunity to impress on that side. 

However, in Liverpool's last pre-season fixture against Italian side Como, it was Rio Ngumoha who played on the right wing, with Cody Gakpo operating on the left.

And with this game being the final one before Liverpool's opening Premier League game against Newcastle United, it is hard to imagine anyone else other than Ngumoha starting on the right hand side for the Reds at St James' Park.

Furthermore, Rio Ngumoha himself has previously spoken about the idea of being able to function effectively on both flanks:

So, clearly Rio Ngumoha and Andoni Iraola have had the conversation about Ngumoha playing on the right hand side, and it is something that the 17 year old is happy to do. 

With this is mind, it has lead to the conclusion, that has been reported on today by Paul Joyce that should Bradley Barcola be brought in by Liverpool this summer, the Frenchman would feature mainly on the left wing, with Rio Ngumoha moving over the the right hand side. 

Then, with reports also emerging today that Liverpool are wanting to finalise the sale of Cody Gakpo as soon as possible, in order to free up a non-homegrown player slot in their squad, and the interest in Ibrahim Mbaye intensifying in the last 24-48 hours, Liverpool's plan with the wings is starting to become more transparent.

It appears as though Rio Ngumoha and Ibrahim Mbaye are the ideal right wing options for Liverpool, then Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz as the left wing options, with all four having the ability to play on either side, and Federico Chiesa is able to cover both sides as well as up front while Hugo Ekitike is out injured.

But all of this is pending LFC managing to make a breakthrough in negotiations with PSG for Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, as well as Tottenham fronting up the money for Cody Gakpo. And with only two weeks left of this summer transfer window, LFC must move fast in order to make these deals happen in time.