Ryan Babel makes Bradley Barcola prediction after huge Liverpool transfer

Former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel believes Bradley Barcola has made the right decision by leaving Paris Saint-Germain and has backed the French attacker to develop into one of Liverpool’s leading players.

Speaking to SeatPick, Babel described Barcola as a “huge signing” for Liverpool and believes the move gives the winger an opportunity he did not necessarily have at PSG: the chance to establish himself as a guaranteed starter and become one of his team’s main attacking figures.

Barcola produced impressive performances during his time in Paris, but Babel believes the competition at PSG prevented him from becoming an undisputed starter.

“I think it was a good decision for him to leave PSG because, even though we have seen him play incredible games, I don't think he was a guaranteed starter there,” Babel said.

The former Liverpool player believes taking on greater responsibility at Anfield could unlock another level in Barcola’s game.

“For him to choose a team where he can eventually be a star player allows him to go to the next level, show that he can take responsibility as one of the leading men up front, and help Liverpool improve.”

Babel highlighted Barcola’s dynamism, dribbling and finishing as qualities that should translate well to Liverpool.

He also believes working under Luis Enrique at PSG will have helped the winger improve defensively, particularly when it comes to tracking back and contributing without the ball.

At 23, Barcola still has plenty of room to develop, and Babel sees the ingredients for him to become an important player at Anfield.

One comparison Babel wants to avoid, however, is with Mohamed Salah.

Salah’s departure has inevitably created questions about who will replace his enormous attacking influence, but Babel believes asking Barcola to fill the Egyptian’s boots would be the wrong approach.

“I don’t think we should see Bradley Barcola as trying to fill the boots of an icon,” he said. “I think he should try and focus on himself to make it his own way of helping the club.”

Babel compared the situation to Liverpool moving forward following Steven Gerrard’s departure. Gerrard himself could never truly be replaced, but Liverpool eventually evolved and enjoyed further success.

The same principle, he believes, applies to Salah.

“Football always moves on, a club always moves on, and nobody will ever be Mo Salah. But that's okay.”

Rather than attempting to become Liverpool’s next Salah, Babel wants Barcola to establish his own identity at Anfield.

For Liverpool, that could ultimately be far more valuable than asking their major summer signing to replicate one of the greatest players in the club’s history.

Barcola now faces the challenge of turning his potential into consistent performances at Liverpool. With greater responsibility should come more opportunities to establish himself as a central figure in the attack.

The Salah comparisons are unlikely to disappear quickly, but Babel’s message is clear: Liverpool should allow Barcola to develop on his own terms rather than judge him against an Anfield icon.