Barcola: The Premier League is less tactical with fewer positional rotations

According to Footmercato, Barcola hopes to take his game to the next level. After his €145 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Liverpool, high expectations have been placed on the French international to secure a significant role in the Reds' attack, particularly as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah. In an interview with Téléfoot, the 24-year-old winger discussed the expectations and responsibilities that come with this transfer.

"What do people expect of me? I think with a transfer like this, people want me to be a game-changer. There are many good forwards, but when you join a team like this, to stand out, you have to be decisive. So that's what I'll try to do, at least that's what I want most," he said.

This ambitious statement came after a successful week for him: he scored his first hat-trick for his new club in the Champions League against Linz, then provided an assist for Isak's goal on Saturday against Brentford.

After arriving at Liverpool, the French international hopes to prove himself in an environment more suited to his potential.

He also aims to leverage the experience he gained at Paris Saint-Germain, where he won two Champions League titles. Barcola said: "My honors in Paris? That's no small feat. That's what Enrique told me: 'When you win, it's harder to keep winning, but with such honors, you want to win even more.' I also want to pass this mentality on to my new teammates, to bring my winning desire and experience to them."

However, adapting to the Premier League remains a major challenge for the former PSG player. Although his explosiveness and one-on-one dribbling ability can make a difference in the English league, he must adjust to a style of football with different pace and physical demands compared to Ligue 1.

Speaking about his goals for the season at Liverpool, Barcola said: "The league is really tough. Although there are some weaker teams, every game is difficult. The goal, of course, is to win the league title—the Premier League. If we can also win the Champions League, that would be even more incredible. I've been trying to adapt because it's really different from Paris, especially in terms of playing style. But if I want to play at a high level, I have to adapt quickly."

"I think the Premier League is less tactical, and there are fewer positional rotations on the pitch. With my old coach, I had to cut in from the wing, and someone else would take my position. Here it's completely different. Besides that, the intensity is very high. In Ligue 1, I also felt that players were strong, with many tough defenders. But here, it's all about pace—it's really too fast. You have to attack and defend; there's no time to rest. That's why I used to get cramps (laughs)."

Finally, Barcola has another important goal: to establish himself in the French national team. With Zidane taking over Les Bleus, the winger has already spoken with the new coach, who asked him to continue showcasing the abilities at which he has excelled since his debut.

Barcola said: "Zidane told me to play more one-on-one, shoot more, cross more, and track back as usual. He told me to do what I do best."

Now, Barcola has an opportunity to elevate his status at both club and international level. His record-breaking transfer, team ambitions, and determination to improve his consistency all point toward the same objective: truly reaching the next level.

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