Iraola gives immediate Barcola injury update after Liverpool win

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola admitted he was relieved when Bradley Barcola told him he was only suffering with cramp after coming off against Atletico Madrid.

Barcola started the 2-1 win at Anfield on Wednesday night but was forced off in the 60 minute. The £123million summer signing went down holding his left calf after sprinting in behind the defence.

The Frenchman missed two brilliant chances to get off the mark in a Liverpool shirt. And the sight of him being treated by the medical staff on the pitch before gingerly walking off would have worried the Liverpool supporters.

Iraola was spotted nervously asking Barcola if it was just cramp as he came off to the substitutes' bench. And the Liverpool boss confirmed the good news in an interview with TNT Sports after the final whistle.

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"It was just cramps, especially with Bradley [Barcola]. We are rushing him, he hasn't played any minutes in pre-season, but today we decided to ask him to give everything he had," Iraola said. "Let's see how they recover for the next one."

Liverpool found themselves 1-0 down early on when Marcos Llorente raced onto Julian Alvarez's through ball and beat Alisson one-on-one. But they levelled through Dominik Szoboszlai's cool finish from close range and then pulled ahead through a rocket from Alexis Mac Allister.

Barcola had two good chances to open his account for his new club, but couldn't take them. His first effort was saved by Jan Oblak moments before Szoboszlai's goal, while his second was put wide when clean through on goal.

Iraola was pleased with the way that his side responded after being caught by surprise by Diego Simeone's tactical set-up. "Difficult to ask for more. We showed character. I loved the second half. I feel lucky to experience this atmosphere," he said.

"I think I have to take blame from the beginning because they surprised me a little bit tactically they played a five at the back, a 5-3-2. We expected something different and waited to correct it. After half-time, we had a much better game, we pressed better, and I think we have been the better team."

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