Liverpool

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

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Bradley Barcola is the statement signing Liverpool fans have craved all summer. With his expensive price tag, however, comes pressure.

He will be expected to hit the ground running, but he does have form against Premier League opposition.

Barcola has come up against numerous English clubs during his time at Paris St-Germain. He scored in a 4-2 Champions League win over Manchester City in January 2025, before finding the net in each leg against Chelsea in the last 16 last season.

Liverpool and their new boss Andoni Iraola will take positives that Barcola settled so quickly after his high-profile move to PSG.

"He went to Paris St-Germain for something like 50m euros, which was a huge amount considering he had only played something like one full season in Ligue 1," Pierre-Etienne Minonzio, football journalist for L'Equipe, told BBC Sport.

"It was an insane amount of money for someone who had not really done anything, but Luis Enrique saw something in him.

"Liverpool is a good fit for Barcola, especially because of Iraola. He is so good at improving players and Barcola is not the finished product.

"Sometimes he runs and runs and runs, and then his finishing is not always good. He has to improve and I think he will.

"It was exactly the same with Ousmane Dembele. Two or three years ago, Dembele was so good at dribbling and running, but sometimes when he was in front of goal he was making bad choices.

"Barcola is a bit like that in the finishing aspect of his game, but he will improve with the right manager - and I think Iraola is the right manager."

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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Valencia are in talks with Liverpool to take midfielder Harvey Elliott on loan for the rest of the season.

The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Aston Villa but made only one Premier League start for them.

Valencia, who finished ninth in La Liga last season and did not qualify for Europe, have been working to find a financially viable way of making the loan deal work.

The Spanish club want Liverpool to cover half of the midfielder's wages.

Elliott featured regularly during Liverpool's pre-season under new head coach Andoni Iraola but has subsequently been left out of the club's first two Premier League squads.

As reported by BBC Sport earlier, the Reds have shown an interest in Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr after having two bids for Yankuba Minteh rejected by Brighton as they look to bolster their attacking options on top of the signing of Bradley Barcola.

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Former Premier League striker Charlie Austion doesn't believe Alexander Isak will develop into a 20-goal-per-season striker at Liverpool, while questioning: "Do they play for him as a striker?"

The Sweden international has only scored four Premier League goals since arriving at the club for a then British-record fee in September 2025.

"St James' Park was a very tough place for him to go to on the opening day of the season," Austin said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "It was almost like he had to play hide-and-seek, but the Nottingham Forest game was very different.

"The ball came across to him three yards out from goal, it was perfect and he scored - so at least he is off that big zero early doors.

"From a striker's perspective, hopefully that first goal pushes him on now and builds him up with confidence. He has his first goal at the Kop End and he can use that to push himself on.

"However, when you play as a number nine, you play in one of two ways. For example, Erling Haaland doesn't touch the ball a lot but he scores a lot of goals. Is Alexander Isak in that bracket of striker? I'm unsure because Liverpool don't play the way Manchester City do.

"When I look at Liverpool at the moment, I think: 'Do they play for the striker? Do they play for Isak?' - because Newcastle United did for the whole time he was there.

"Liverpool play with wingers that are on opposite sides and full-backs who would rather pass a ball into the number 10, so do I think Isak can score 20 plus Premier League goals for this team in one season? I'm still very unsure.

"I'm unsure we are going to see the best of him while he is wearing the number nine shirt for Liverpool. I do hope I'm wrong, though."

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Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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With Cody Gakpo's future up in the air, Liverpool have turned their attentions to Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr after having two bids for Yankuba Minteh rejected by Brighton.

The Seagulls want more than the £60m offered by Liverpool and it remains to be seen whether Andoni Iraola's side go back in for him.

Like the Minteh, Sarr is a right-sided winger and the Reds initially enquired about the Senegal international last week, but that was rebuffed by Crystal Palace.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

It would have been intriguing to be a fly on the wall in the directors' box at Anfield.

Andoni Iraola's first home Premier League game was watched by incoming Liverpool vice-chairman Amit Bhatia, principal owner John Henry and sporting director Richard Hughes, who was integral in getting the deal for Alexander Isak done last summer.

Thankfully for them - and Iraola - Isak got Liverpool on level terms after the break. He managed just seven more touches in the second half but centre-forwards deal in goals and the Swede timed his run perfectly to meet Cody Gakpo's delivery for his first goal of the season. His smile after told a story in itself.

But, in BBC Sport pundit Joe Hart Hart's opinion, Iraola still has a major conundrum.

"Andoni Iraola has some big decisions to make," said Hart. "Does he base his team round him [Isak] or does he try to find a different solution within his squad? In my opinion, he's got to commit to what the club have done by investing so heavily in Isak.

"There's no point signing these players if you aren't going to use them properly and play to their strengths. There's no doubting Isak's quality - they are just at a bit of a crossroads at the moment."

During Isak's struggles last season, the belief inside the club was that he was a long-term signing and judgement would be reserved for once he was fully fit.

Only Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Ollie Watkins have scored more Premier League goals since Isak's first season in England and, with Salah now out of the picture, the onus is on Isak to deliver - particularly with Hugo Ekitike out injured.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Nigel: We see the lack of quality passing in the last third of the pitch in every game. It's too late now, of course, but Liverpool should have offered Trent the world and a statue next to Shankly if he had stayed. We miss him more than any other player who has left.

Adnan: They do not look and feel like a Liverpool side. Previous generations oozed Liverpool blood - remember, guys, who you play for and where you play. Jurgen knew and hence his players knew.

Ben: An improvement on the two home games against Forest under Slot, but a lot of work to do. Tsimikas should be the first-choice left-back as Kerkez is still not up to the job, and another right-back is needed so we stop playing Szobozslai there.

Marilyn: Not a foot-on-the-gas start at Anfield, but I saw little flashes of possibilities! The new guys are full of running, but passes going astray. Isak not positive enough. Rio too easily tackled still. Hope the jigsaw comes together with Barcola's arrival. Going to be a nervy few weeks!

Nottingham Forest fans

Chris: After the abysmal performances against Leeds I was not looking forward to this game. All I wanted was a good performance and boy did we get it. Onwards and upwards.

Paul: Encouraging signs (genuinely) for Forest. Team looks to be gelling well, some depth and options on the bench too. Needed that point, and shame not to win. Delap looked lively and like he can make a difference. All players played well. On to the next game and maybe a final dabble in the window.

James: Much better performance than previously shown. McAtee really stepped up but I thought Schlager was the unsung hero he was so good on his Premier League debut.

Martin: The exact opposite of our very poor performance on Tuesday against Leeds. I thought we kept the ball well and defended solidly. Attacked with pace and all players had a great game.

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has made it clear he wants Cody Gakpo to remain at the club, despite interest in the attacker from Manchester City.

Enzo Maresca's side have opened talks with Liverpool about signing Gakpo, who has contributed a goal and assist in the Reds' opening two games of the Premier League season.

After Saturday's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, Van Dijk said: "He's a quality player and I think we should keep quality players, but let's see what the next three days bring.

"It's pretty clear I want him to stay, not only because he is the quality player that he is, but also he's a friend of mine and I think he will be very important for us."

Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz says the Reds "are disappointed" to have not beaten Nottingham Forest and knows they "can do much better" as a team.

Listen to what Wirtz had to say to BBC Radio Merseyside by pressing the play button above, or listen on BBC Sounds here

Liverpool and Everton are interested in Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling, 25, with Roma also pushing to sign the German. (Patrick Berger, external/Sky Sport Germany, external)

The Reds are also are monitoring Genk goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, 18, but if a deal happens this summer it will not result in an immediate move for the Belgium youth international. (Ben Jacobs, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

BBC Sport pundit Joe Hart says Alexander Isak is showing he's low in confidence by dropping deep to receive the ball instead of staying forward.

The former Premier League goalkeeper also believes Isak isn't having the ball played to him in areas where he can be most effective.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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Liverpool view Cody Gakpo as a proven multi-functional Premier League attacker and he has shown that with a goal and an assist in their first two games this season.

But all summer, the understanding has been that if the club bring in the attacking players they want, they would not stand in the way of Gakpo if a solid offer came in.

Given how late in the transfer window the talks are taking place between Liverpool and Manchester City, the Anfield side will now consider the situation before sanctioning any move.

Liverpool are also hoping to bring in another winger before deadline day.

With the arrival of Victor Munoz, the emergence of Rio Ngumoha and Bradley Barcola's imminent move from PSG, Gakpo is well aware that he may not be first choice any more, so if a move does happen it would not come as a surprise.

Financially it will be a great outcome for Liverpool if they agree a deal for about £85m given they signed Gakpo for £35m from PSV Eindhoven after the World Cup in 2022.

But with Hugo Ekitike missing until 2027 with a ruptured Achilles tendon, and Alexander Isak's injury struggles, they would be taking a massive risk letting Gakpo leave.

Liverpool starting XI:

Alisson: Well beaten for Dan Ndoye's goal but made a superb save to deny Igor Jesus on the brink of half-time and keep Liverpool in the game. Poor penalty to give away for Gibbs-White's winner. 5

Jeremie Frimpong: Struggled defensively but got into some good positions going forward. Did really well in the build-up to Florian Wirtz's disallowed goal but was just offside. Has to improve consistency with his end delivery. 6

Jeremy Jacquet: Made a goal-saving challenge to deny Igor Jesus an early goal and was impressive but still had a few moments where he was slack and lacked discipline. 6

Virgil van Dijk: Will be furious with how easily the Liverpool backline was cut open for Ndoye's opener and the ease with which Forest won their penalty. 6

Milos Kerkez: A poor display from the Liverpool left-back and was sloppy in possession. Replaced by Kostas Tsimikas in the 71st minute. 5

Dominik Szoboszlai: Solid as usual and was much more alert defensively, compared to his display at Newcastle. 6

Alexis Mac Allister: Back in the starting XI and played a lovely reverse ball for Cody Gakpo early on. Couldn't cope physically with Igor Jesus in the build up to Ndoye's goal. 6

Cody Gakpo: Started down the right in what was potentially his last Liverpool appearance and was effective. Played a lovely ball for Wirtz, then did really well to create a chance for Victor Munoz. Didn't do his defensive duties for Forest's opener but did brilliantly to create Alexander Isak's equaliser. 7

Florian Wirtz: Constantly posed a threat and unlucky not to score, having had a neat finish ruled out as Frimpong was offside and a solid header tipped over by Matz Sels. Got the assist for Munoz's goal. 7

Victor Munoz: Made his first Liverpool start and it was down his preferred left flank. The Spaniard was direct and had a penalty shout turned down but he should have tested Sels at least when he fired a first-half effort wide from inside the box. Scored a belter to level the game in front of the Kop and rescue a point for Liverpool. 7

Alexander Isak: Just six touches in the first half and zero shots on goal but made up for a forgettable opening 45 minutes with the first equaliser on the hour mark. That was just his ninth touch but a goal that will give him plenty of confidence. 6

Liverpool substitutes:

Subs:

Tsimikas (on 71, Kerkez): 5

Gravenberch (on 71, Frimpong): 5

Ngumoha (on 71, Gakpo): 5

Araujo (on 77, Jacquet): 5

Nyoni (on 77, Mac Allister): 5

Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Endo, McConnell, Koumas.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

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Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Liverpool will be bitterly disappointed with the way the game has gone.

"Credit to Nottingham Forest, they have come to Anfield very organised. Oliver Glasner has got the blueprint already of how they're going to play and how organised they're going to be.

"From a Liverpool point of view, I'm not sure they would've got anything out of this game if they were away from home.

"They got sucker punched by the penalty and then they had a wonder goal from Victor Munoz to get them back in it again."

Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist on TNT Sports added: "I don't think either team can have any complaints.

"Oliver Glasner will probably be the happier of the two with a point at Anfield. It was a great game.

"Forest were excellent in the first half.

"The substitutions helped Liverpool and they probably did enough to earn the point in the second half."