LIVERPOOL, England — Bradley Barcola limped out of his home debut for Liverpool in their Champions League win over Atlético Madrid on Wednesday with what coach Andoni Iraola said afterward was cramp.
The £123 million ($166 million) summer signing pulled up shortly before the hour mark when attempting a run toward goal. He went down on the turf holding his left calf.
After treatment from Liverpool’s medical staff, Barcola was replaced by Víctor Muñoz.
Barcola, who was Liverpool’s key signing during the transfer window, was able to leave the field on his feet and did not require a stretcher.
“He didn’t have a preseason. He had cramp,” Iraola said. “He didn’t play a minute of preseason. He has to build his physical condition little by little.”
The two-time Champions League winner left back-to-back defending European champions Paris Saint-Germain for Anfield and looked impressive on his first start for Liverpool, with good chances in each half to score.
He was denied by Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the first half, but failed to hit the target when running through on goal after the break.
“He was one-on-one with the keeper twice and couldn’t put them away,” Iraola said.
Liverpool won the game 2-1 thanks to goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
