The France international made the comparison after Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday. Speaking to Sky Sports, Barcola reflected on the physical demands of his new league after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer.
“Ligue 1 is very physical. But here, I would say it’s even more physical in terms of running. The matches are played from one end of the pitch to the other,” he said.
Barcola also pointed to the intensity of English football, explaining that the pace of matches has been a challenge as he adjusts to life at Liverpool.
“The intensity is so high. But that’s also why I came here. It’s a new challenge for me to take on,” he added.
The winger’s comments came after a difficult afternoon for Liverpool, who were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City. The result left the Reds with plenty to consider, while Barcola’s own start has yet to produce the attacking return expected of a high-profile summer signing.
Liverpool brought Barcola to Anfield from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal reported to be worth up to £123 million. He had spent three seasons in Paris, scoring 39 goals and providing 35 assists in 152 appearances, and helped the French club win major domestic honours and successive Champions League titles.
The 24-year-old arrived with a reputation for pace and direct running, qualities that Liverpool will hope can unsettle Premier League defences once he settles into the side. He also featured for France at the 2026 World Cup, where the national team finished third.
Barcola’s early adjustment has been complicated by the demands he describes. Premier League fixtures often require repeated high-speed efforts in transition, with wide players expected to track back, press opponents and then sprint forward when possession changes hands.
His assessment does not suggest that Ligue 1 lacks physicality. Rather, he distinguishes between contact and strength in the French game and the amount of ground covered in England, where matches can become stretched quickly.
The challenge now is to translate his movement and one-against-one ability into end product for Liverpool. Barcola has the experience of winning major trophies with Paris Saint-Germain, but he is entering a different competition with different rhythms and expectations.
Liverpool will need him to adapt quickly as they seek consistency in the league. Barcola’s comments suggest he understands the scale of the task and views the physical demands as part of the reason he chose to move to England.