Carragher backs Iraola to raid Bournemouth for Scott and Rayan as Shearer hails £123m Barcola

Liverpool head into the first international break of the season in good shape, sitting sixth in the Premier League after a 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Sunday — a result that kept them among just five unbeaten sides in the top flight.

Andoni Iraola has made a steady start since taking charge at Anfield, guiding the club to two league wins and three draws while also defeating Atlético Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League and Carabao Cup respectively.

Carragher backs Bournemouth double swoop

With the transfer window on the horizon, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has floated the idea of Iraola returning to his former club to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott and winger Rayan. Both players were linked with moves away last summer — Scott attracting reported interest from Manchester United and Arsenal, while Rayan had been touted as a potential long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah — but neither left the Vitality Stadium.

Carragher suggested that Iraola’s close familiarity with the pair, having worked with them during his three-year spell on the south coast — a tenure that culminated in Bournemouth qualifying for Europe for the first time — could give Liverpool an edge in any future pursuit.

“I think he’s a wonderful player,” Carragher said of Scott. “There was a lot of interest in him in the summer and because Liverpool have a former Bournemouth manager, you almost think: will there be a link or will there be a couple of players moving that way? I thought Rayan was fantastic last season as well. There are some fantastic players here at Bournemouth.”

Shearer backs Barcola to become fan favourite

Elsewhere, Alan Shearer has offered an encouraging assessment of Bradley Barcola, who became Liverpool’s second-most expensive signing in history when he joined from Paris Saint-Germain last month in a £123 million deal.

The 23-year-old French winger is yet to register a goal or assist in his opening Premier League appearances, but Shearer believes the talent is undeniable — with one caveat. “When Barcola started last week against Fulham, I thought he was brilliant,” the Newcastle icon said. “There is no doubt he’s got huge ability. He needs to add more goals to his game to become a complete player.”

Barcola has started Liverpool’s last two league fixtures and, despite the blank scoresheet, has drawn praise for his movement and directness. If Shearer’s assessment proves correct, it may only be a matter of time before the goals follow.