There is a sense that Liverpool are starting to pick up the tempo as they look to rebuild their Anfield front line at the start of the Andoni Iraola era. The Spaniard has been chosen to replace Arne Slott after his sudden decline last year.
A disastrous 2025/26 season left Liverpool well behind their expected place in the Premier League’s fiercest competition, with them facing the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the table. Instead, they nearly qualified for the Champions League with a fifth-place finish, but faltered along the way.
A frazzled Slott has been through a lot during his two-year term, and while he should have braced himself, he had to make changes.
Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson were also among those to leave after spending many glorious years at the club. Salah’s departure last year was sad, but now a replacement is needed and FSG appear to be looking to sign Monaco’s Magnes Akrios to fill that role.
Why Akuriosh is the perfect replacement for Salah
Paris Saint-Germain are leading the charge to sign Akuriosh this summer, but Liverpool are determined to pounce after making an initial approach for the Monaco attacking midfielder this week.
The 24-year-old, hailed as a “ridiculous” technician by analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson, only scored six goals and six assists each in Ligue 1 last year, but that is not his playmaker. He is a smart, interconnected playmaker and not a direct goalscorer like Salah.
In some ways, Akriosh is perfect. It would cost Liverpool a fraction of the amount it would cost to sign Yann Diomande from RB Leipzig. His direct and powerful approach makes him something of an imitator of Salah in his prime. The pressure will be immense for the 19-year-old rookie.
Akuriosh’s creative focus will also play to Alexander Isaac’s strengths. Liverpool’s biggest goal threat was redirected last year when big money was spent on Isak and Hugo Ekitike.
Ekitike is still recovering from an Achilles injury that will keep him out for many months, while Isak needs to prove himself after an injury-plagued first year at Anfield, and with all this in mind, it’s probably important for FSG to put together a deal for an elite attacker.
Liverpool ‘very keen’ to sign Akuriosh upgrade
Acrioche and Victor Muñoz, who joined Liverpool from Osasuna for £35.5 million last month, will form a shrewd up-and-coming wide pairing, but Liverpool will need to try and catch bigger fish and PSG’s Bradley Barcola could be that man.
Liverpool are leading the race to sign the France international this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. Arsenal are also interested, and that interest could increase further after Chelsea missed out on signing Morgan Rodgers, but current guidance is leading to Merseyside.
“Barcola is a top, top target for Liverpool. Liverpool love Barcola. I don’t know if it’s financially possible, but what I can say is that Liverpool remain very keen on Barcola.”
The French giants do not want to sell. Mattinson, who was named earlier, said the 23-year-old Barcola is “one of the best left wingers in the world”, but he wants a role with more seniority, which is proving difficult in Luis Enrique’s star-studded front line.
PSG has not yet revealed the price. They hope to tie him to a new deal, but that is proving difficult as Liverpool continue to investigate. FSG is expected to need to rack up a figure in excess of £100m.
Barcola excelled for France at the World Cup and has dominated in recent years at the club, scoring 62 goals in two seasons, winning back-to-back Champions League titles and a number of domestic accolades.
League 1 form (25/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per 90) | Stagger | Akryosh |
Match (start) | 29(21) | 31(28) |
the goal | 11 | 6 |
assist | 1 | 6 |
Number of shots (on target)* | 2.3 (1.1) | 1.5(0.6) |
missed a big opportunity | 15 | 6 |
Exact path* | 20.8 (83%) | 30.4 (85%) |
A big opportunity has arisen | 11 | 8 |
Key pass* | 1.3 | 1.4 |
It was successful. dribble* | 1.2 | 0.8 |
Ball recovery rate* | 2.0 | 4.5 |
Def. Donation* | 1.6 | 2.3 |
Win a duel* | 3.0 | 3.4 |
Acrioche on the right is coveted by PSG, but there is no doubt that Barcola has more than that, with his quick and deadly play in front of goal. He plays primarily on the left, but also in the center and on the right, and his inverted control requires him to focus on playmaking rather than seeking his own goals.
In fact, Liverpool writer Dave Hendrick went so far as to say that Les Bleus’ “superstar” is the “closest thing to Salah” on the current market, so while Acriuce’s contrasting skillset makes him a good fit to bring to the right of Iraola’s set-up, Barcola’s X-factor could be exactly what the Reds need in a talismanic attacking arrival.
Liverpool’s current crop doesn’t cut the mustard. This is an obvious truth and FSG’s decision-makers need to resolve this issue urgently if the Reds are to face Europe’s best teams again after such a disappointing season.
Iraola’s front-foot tactical approach should allow Barcola to prove himself a superstar in England. Liverpool could make a big splash on the Frenchman, potentially cementing his status as a summer signing.
