Iraola confirms Barcola's injury scare was cramp after Liverpool's 2-1 win over Atletico

Bradley Barcola’s injury scare during Liverpool’s 2-1 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday proved to be nothing more than cramp, manager Andoni Iraola confirmed after the final whistle. The £123m summer signing was forced off in the 60th minute after going down clutching his left calf following a sprint in behind the Atletico defence.

The sight of Barcola being treated by medical staff on the pitch before gingerly making his way to the bench alarmed supporters, and Iraola was visibly anxious as he checked on the Frenchman at the touchline. The Liverpool boss was visibly relieved when Barcola reassured him it was cramp.

“It was just cramps, especially with Bradley,” Iraola said. “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.”

Barcola had started the match and spurned two clear chances to open his account in a Liverpool shirt before his evening was cut short. The 22-year-old joined from Paris Saint-Germain this summer and his lack of pre-season minutes made the moment he went down all the more concerning for the club.

The confirmation that no structural damage appears to have been sustained will come as a significant relief, though Iraola’s admission that Liverpool are “rushing” Barcola back to fitness suggests the club will need to manage his workload carefully in the weeks ahead.