Following in Salah's footsteps? Barcola receives first warning from Carragher

Early threat after Jackpo's flash

Bradley Barcola has received an early warning about his new task with Liverpool, after entering the team's plans for the first time following his move to Anfield this summer from Paris Saint-Germain.

Jamie Carragher never missed a chance to have a dig at Mohamed Salah during the Egyptian's time at Liverpool. Now, with Salah gone at the end of last season, the Reds legend has turned his attention to the man tasked with filling that void: Bradley Barcola.

The former Reds captain weighed in on Barcola's first outing in a Liverpool shirt, warning that the Frenchman could find regular minutes hard to come by in the weeks ahead.

"Barcola will struggle to get a chance with the current version of Gakpo," the former Liverpool defender wrote on X, a nod to Cody Gakpo's form since the start of the season.

Gakpo started the clash against Ipswich Town on Friday and teed up both of Alexander Isak's goals in the 2-0 win. He had already scored against Newcastle United and provided an assist against Nottingham Forest.

Barcola arrived from Paris Saint-Germain for 123 million pounds, yet he began the Ipswich match on the bench, coming on in the 64th minute for Victor Muñoz.

His debut was a brief one. Barcola has not featured since the World Cup, and manager Andoni Iraola explained that the coaching staff are easing him back in. The player is training well and in good shape, Iraola stressed, and around 30 minutes suited a gradual return to fitness.

A congested run of fixtures in the coming weeks will hand Barcola more chances to feature, Iraola added, which could gradually open the door for him to compete for a starting spot.