The winger joined from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported €145 million including bonuses, with Liverpool expecting him to develop into a major attacking force as they plan for life beyond Mohamed Salah.
Speaking to Téléfoot, Barcola acknowledged that the scale of the transfer brings added pressure.
“What is expected of me? I think with a transfer like this, people expect me to be decisive. There are a lot of great attackers, but when you arrive at a team like this, you absolutely have to be decisive if you want to stand out. So that’s what I’m going to try to do. That’s what I really want to do,” he said.
Barcola has already offered a glimpse of his potential in Europe, scoring a hat-trick in Liverpool’s Champions League win over LASK before providing an assist for Alexander Isak against Brentford. He is still adapting to the Premier League, however, and admits the demands of English football differ significantly from the system he played in under Luis Enrique at PSG.
The Frenchman had enjoyed productive seasons in Paris, including 21 goals and 20 assists across all competitions in 2024-25. But competition from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia increasingly limited his place in the attacking hierarchy, and he started on the bench for both of PSG’s Champions League finals.
Barcola believes the experience he gained in Paris can help him at Anfield, particularly when it comes to passing on a winning mentality to his new teammates.
“My trophy collection at PSG? It’s no small thing. That’s what Luis Enrique told me: when you win, it becomes even harder, but with a trophy collection like that, you want to win even more. That’s what I’m trying to pass on to my new teammates too, my desire to win and, above all, my experience,” he said.
His biggest immediate adjustment has been tactical. Barcola explained that Liverpool’s movement and positional rotations differ from the approach he was accustomed to in France.
“The Premier League, I find it less tactical. There are fewer changes on the pitch. With my former coach, I had to come inside, then move wide, and someone else would take my place. Here, it’s very different,” he said.
He also highlighted the relentless tempo, explaining that the constant transitions between attack and defence have left him struggling with cramps.
“The rhythm is the thing. It goes very fast. You attack, you defend, you don’t have time to rest. That’s why I had cramps,” Barcola added.
The winger also wants to secure a lasting place in the France team. He said Zinedine Zidane had encouraged him to continue taking on defenders, shooting, crossing and tracking back rather than changing the qualities that made him successful.
At Liverpool, Barcola’s ambition is clear: adapt quickly, contribute consistently and turn his expensive transfer into a lasting success.