Big-money signings often come under a lot of pressure from the moment they step into a new club, particularly when they are brought in after a major star leaves the club.
In a candid interview, Liverpool star Bradley Barcola addressed the notion that he was brought in as a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah in the summer.
The France international completed a £123 million move to Anfield after a months-long pursuit, and true to the transfer fee, has faced criticism since his arrival in the Premier League.
'I'm not Mohamed Salah': Barcola brushes off external pressure
Barcola spoke to Sky Sports Premier League earlier this week, and was asked for his thoughts on his transfer fee from Paris Saint-Germain.
He also touched on the subject of his replacing club legend Salah, explaining that he does not feel the pressure to replace the Egypt international at the club.
“I wasn’t the one who decided the transfer fee, so that’s not been a problem for me!
Mohamed Salah, he’s a legend here. A huge one. He’s done big things here and for that I have an enormous respect for him. But it’s not pressure for me at all. I’m not Mohamed Salah," he said.
Pundits and fans alike had debated whether the French winger was brought in as a direct successor to the legendary Egyptian attacker.
The Reds began pursuing him as their marquee signing shortly after it became clear that Salah was going to leave the club.
They only managed to agree a deal for him in the final weeks of the summer window, after they had signed Spain international Victor Munoz earlier in the window.
Even if he has not joined as a direct Salah replacement, he is the closest player to the iconic Egyptian at the club, at present.
Barcola must embrace his role as a wide goalscoring threat in this Liverpool side to keep his critics at bay.
Barcola adapting to life at Anfield
Liverpool fans had to wait until matchday three of the Premier League to see Barcola in action for the first time, and they were thrilled by his first contribution to the team.
He has shown flashes of brilliant individual skill and goalscoring ability, including his hat-trick against LASK in the UEFA Champions League last month, but has yet to fully hit his best level under Andoni Iraola.
Chiefly deployed on the left side from which he is most effective, the France international has begun to build up a head of steam in his games for Iraola's side.
Across 12 appearances in all competitions this season, he has scored three goals and provided two assists for the Reds.
