Bad finisher! – Bradley Barcola called out over his finishing ability

Liverpool summer signing Bradley Barcola has been called out over his finishing in front of goal as the Reds begin their 2026/27 Champions League with a win.

The Reds secured a hard-fought victory over Atletico Madrid, but Barcola endured a frustrating night in front of goal. The £123 million arrival missed several clear chances during his first start, prompting criticism over his finishing abilities.

During the game, Barcola squandered a one-on-one opportunity by dragging his shot wide.

He also saw another major attempt denied by Jan Oblak. Speaking on Sky Sports, pundit Tim Sherwood offered a worrying verdict on the forward’s display.

Bradley Barcola receives medical attention after sustaining an injury during the gamy against Atletico de Madrid. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

“No, it wasn’t a good night,” Sherwood said. “He had a lot of opportunities. He looked a threat, but he had a few opportunities bearing down Oblak and he just couldn’t find the finish. He’s not a fantastic finisher, I have to say that. A few sitters he missed tonight.”

Barcola made his competitive debut off the bench in Friday’s triumph at Ipswich, but he earned his first start on the right wing against Atleti. He lasted an hour before being withdrawn with cramp, capping off a difficult individual performance.

Despite being critical of his finishing, Sherwood highlight some positive aspect of Barcola’s game.

“The good thing about him is that he stretches defenders,” Sherwood added. “He runs without the ball, so you don’t have to take possession of the ball and dribble. He goes, checks and makes good runs.”

Barcola will be hoping to get back to his best form when Liverpool face Fulham in the Premier League this weekend. The Reds head into Saturday’s Premier League clash looking to maintain their impressive recent momentum across all competitions.