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Andoni Iraola backs Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola amid mounting criticism of Liverpool’s big-money stars

Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola faced criticism after Liverpool’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday

By Sam Brookes · The Independent

Published: Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at 5:05 PM

Key Things to Know

Andoni Iraola expressed 100 percent trust in Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola despite growing criticism.
The pair faced scrutiny following Liverpool's 3-0 Premier League defeat against Manchester City.
Injuries have sidelined Liverpool's top scorers Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has strongly defended Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola amid growing scrutiny over their performances. Both high-priced attacking signings faced criticism following Liverpool's 3-0 defeat against Manchester City on Sunday. Iraola stated he has "100 per cent" trust in the duo as pressure mounts on them to deliver.

Liverpool's attacking options are currently depleted due to injuries suffered by Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai. All three players are sidelined for the upcoming Champions League fixture against LASK in Austria, prompting Iraola to urge a collective team effort rather than focusing solely on individual goal tallies.

Read the full article on The Independent