Barcola, 23, has won back-to-back Champions League titles under Luis Enrique, and has established himself as an elite attacker, notching 62 direct goal involvements over the past two seasons for his club.
Journalist Bence Bocsak has gushed over the potential signing, saying he is "made for Andoni Iraola-ball". This is true: the France international's blistering, direct running style and output in the final third makes him a rare weapon, one who could fix Liverpool's sapped frontline.
August has arrived, and the new Premier League season is a matter of weeks away. Liverpool need to bring in another forward or two, but they also need to address growing concerns in midfield.
Curtis Jones' future at his boyhood club is up in the air, but perhaps more importantly, Alexis Mac Allister's is too.
What the future holds for Mac Allister at Liverpool
Mac Allister's first two years at Liverpool were wonderful. He won the Carabao Cup and the Premier League, instrumental all the way. But last year, he was a pale shadow of that robust and galvanising force, very much at the rotten core of Arne Slot's decline.
There's no question that the 27-year-old was far more influential during the World Cup, covering more ground than any of his teammates across the duration of the tournament, but he still wasn't operating at the highest level we have seen in the past at Anfield.
Dig into the Argentina international's decline, and what you extricate will be stark. Many times last season, he was swallowed up in key midfield battles, unable to match the intensity and physicality of his opponents.
Alexis Mac Allister's Premier League Decline
Stats (* per 90)
24/25
25/26
|
Matches (starts)
|
35 (30)
|
37 (31)
|
|
Goals + Assists
|
5 + 5
|
2 + 4
|
|
Touches*
|
55.8
|
50.3
|
|
Accurate passes*
|
35.5 (87%)
|
33.6 (87%)
|
|
Big chances created
|
6
|
4
|
|
Key passes*
|
1.3
|
1.0
|
|
Possession lost*
|
9.3
|
7.8
|
|
Succ. dribbles*
|
0.5
|
0.3
|
|
Ball recoveries*
|
4.2
|
3.0
|
|
Def. contributions*
|
4.0
|
2.9
|
|
Duels won*
|
4.9 (48%)
|
3.1 (45%)
|
Keeping onto him would be a risk. Recent reports have suggested that he is eyeing a departure, with his agents having offered him to outfits such as Real Madrid.
Iraola has made it clear that he wants Mac Allister to stay at the club, but there is still a long way to go until the end of the window, and FSG already have their eye on an up-and-coming star who could spell the end for the all-action midfielder.
How Liverpool could replace Mac Allister
Mac Allister might have a wealth of experience, but what does that matter when the player in question is unable to produce the goods?
Could it be worth Liverpool taking a punt on Mexican World Cup star Gilberto Mora? According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has made direct contact with the midfielder's representatives as he pursues a deal for the 17-year-old.
The Club Tijuana prospect rose to global fame when starring for an impressive Mexico side at the World Cup, demonstrating a prodigious degree of technical quality and composure on the ball.
European outfits such as Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Benfica are felt to have the edge right not - and Mora could not join a suitor until October 2026, when he turns 18, but Liverpool have still initiated talks for a young star who has been valued at €25m (£21m).
Mora starred against England at the World Cup, completing 91% of his passes and creating a chance against Thomas Tuchel's side. He certainly didn't look out of place, and you could say that on an individual level, he more than matched Argentina's Mac Allister.
An innate ability to connect tactical dots and establish fluency suggests that Mora is the prototypical Iraola midfielder. He could emulate someone like Alex Scott in developing into a sensation under the Spanish coach's wing - and the fact they share a mother tongue should not be understated; Mora would be stepping onto a new continent at the start of adulthood, after all.
There is nothing to suggest that he cannot trump Mac Allister. Even if the older man is forced to stick around for the upcoming year (by all accounts, against his desires), Mora could end up the chief reason behind Mac Allister's departure, a move which may fit all parties.
When Mora collects the ball, his awareness is beyond intuitive. Not only does he glide around the field and demonstrate a fearlessness that would serve him well in the Premier League, but he invariably picks the right pass, always understands his surroundings and how to progress play forward.
Hailed as a "generational" talent by analyst Filipe Sousa, there's no question that Mora's skills could carry him to the Champions League and superstardom, and Liverpool might want to secure his services before another rival swoops in.
With Dominik Szoboszlai already showing under Iraola during pre-season that he's ready to continue his talismanic journey at Liverpool, Mora could be the perfect counterpoint, bringing far more intensity and mobility than Mac Allister.
Liverpool need more experience in the middle of the park, but sometimes, an emerging talent shows that they have what it takes to make an impact despite their youth.
Mora, having outshone his Mexican midfield teammates at the World Cup, could be that man.
3 days ago
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