Bradley Barcola reveals Rayan Cherki talks before Liverpool vs Man City, ‘ he really wants to win’

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Liverpool fans will be desperate for Bradley Barcola to step up and deliver a £123m performance against Manchester City on Sunday.The Frenchman has been a little underwhelming since making his big move from Paris Saint-Germain in August, but with the Reds missing both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo for the visit of City, the stage is set for Barcola to be the main man.As for the City players, it will be fascinating to see how they respond to what will likely be an incredibly hostile Anfield crowd. As it happens, the former Lyon man has been a far better signing than Wirtz so far, and already has four goals and two assists to his name this season.Nevertheless, Cherki remains a controversial figure, and his decision to swap shirts with Hugo Ekitike during Liverpool’s battering by City at the Etihad last April drew criticism from both sets of supporters.Reds fans may be wary of something similar happening on Sunday after Barcola shared that he and his international teammate have been sharing a few jokes about the game while away with France.“We talked and had a bit of a laugh about it, but we know that once we’re out on the pitch both of us will be really focused,” the Liverpool winger promised.READ MORE: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Manchester City as Andoni Iraola decides new Bradley Barcola role“He really wants to win this match.

Here it’s different, it’s a new league now and I’m with a new team. I know Manchester City but they have lots of new players, it’s a completely different match and I’m just as hungry to win this.”“These are huge matches,” Barcola added.

We know it will be tough, but we will prepare well, so we are ready.”Barcola reveals help from Ekitike and JacquetBarcola is clearly still finding his feet at Liverpool, and although Cherki is a wind-up merchant for opposition fans, having him close by in Manchester will be a help in that respect.So too will be the presence of countrymen Jeremy Jacquet and Ekitike at Liverpool, and Barcola confirmed that both have been helpful while he gets his bearings in a new country.“They recommended some good places for me to settle in,” he said. I’m happy.“It’s going well, I was warmly welcomed by my teammates, by the staff, so it’s been good.”Barcola also touched on the differences between Liverpool and Paris, claiming that it is quieter and not as busy on Merseyside, which he is in favour of, while also reconfirming his belief that he is a player perfectly suited to Andoni Iraola’s style of football.