Is Bradley Barcola the answer to replacing Luis Díaz at Liverpool?

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - SEPTEMBER 28: Bradley Barcola of France looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A1 MD2 match between Belgium and France at Stade Roi Baudouin on September 28, 2026 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Gabriel Calvino Alonso/BSR Agency/Getty Images) | Getty Images Liverpo

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What is the story about?

Liverpool’s search for a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah has increasingly centered on younger attacking talent, with Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola among the names being discussed. But former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey believes the bigger question is not simply replacing Salah’s goals and production, but finding someone capable of reproducing what Luis Díaz brought to the team.

Heskey knows what Liverpool’s attack requires. The former England international spent four seasons at Anfield

between 2000 and 2004, making 223 appearances and scoring 60 goals while winning four major trophies, including the 2001 UEFA Cup and FA Cup.

Díaz left Liverpool for Bayern Munich in July 2025 after three and a half seasons at the club, having contributed to four major trophies, including the Premier League title in his final campaign.

Asked whether Barcola could replace Díaz’s role rather than simply succeed Salah, Heskey pointed toward the French winger’s experience at PSG.

“When you look at PSG, they play in a similarly aggressive way. So you’d like to think that, coming through that system and playing there for a while, Bradley Barcola has that quality to replace what was left by Luis Diaz,” Heskey told Casinolyze. “It’s up to the manager to get that out of him and really put pressure on him to produce it week in, week out. It’s still early days but I think there are really positive signs.”

That distinction could be important for Liverpool. Díaz was not simply another wide attacker. His pressing, intensity and willingness to chase lost causes made him an important part of Liverpool’s overall attacking identity.

Barcola would not necessarily have to become a carbon copy of Díaz, but Heskey believes the environment he has developed in at PSG could give him some of the characteristics Liverpool need as they reshape their attack.