Andoni Iraola dismisses suggestions that Bradley Barcola’a form has dipped in recent weeks.
The Liverpool winger was criticised in the French media following a lacklustre performance against Belgium last week, but they are notoriously harsh with their national team players.
As the Reds prepare for Sunday’s Premier League game with Manchester City at Anfield, Iraola has a dilemma. With both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo ruled out through injury, it will be interesting to see who plays up front.
Iraola has suggested Lewis Koumas, but its possible that Barcola may get the chance.
“I don’t think he’s in a bad moment,” he said. “The problem with wingers or strikers is if they don’t score a goal, ‘they haven’t played well’.
“We have to see the games, we have to watch. I said it the first game against Atletico Madrid, he missed two or three quite clear chances. I don’t care. Honestly. I care but I want him to see him there.
“With the national team, I have seen he has had a couple of good situations to score. He hasn’t scored, but I want him to be there.
“He is a top player for us. I think he can play in any position up front.
“He probably has played more as a left winger but has played a little bit as a striker, has played even more as a right winger. I think he can cover the three positions up front.
“He’s a super valuable player for us.”
