LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Bradley Barcola limped out of Liverpool’s Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
The $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 Victor Munoz.
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.
"It's just cramps, especially with Bradley. We are kind of rushing him a little bit because he hasn't played (any minutes) in preseason," Andoni Iraola said after Liverpool's eventual 2-1 win.
"We want him there, but at the end we've decided today, okay, give us whatever you have.
"That's the most he has and let's see how they recover for the next one because we play in three days again."
The two-time Champions League winner left back-to-back defending European champion 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 Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the first half, but failed to hit the target when running through on goal after the break.
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