Luis Enrique gives frosty three-word reply as both Liverpool targets axed from PSG squad

Luis Enrique left both Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye out of his squad for Paris Saint-Germain's clash with Lens on Sunday amid strong interest from Liverpool

Comments

Sport

Nathan Ridley Senior Sports Reporter

23:03, 16 Aug 2026

[Luis Enrique interview]

View 2 Images

Luis Enrique shrugged off the question post-match(Image: Ligue 1)

Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique wasn't in the mood to discuss the futures of Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye after leaving the pair out of his squad to face Lens on Sunday. PSG missed the chance to win a second trophy in five days, as they were beaten 1-0 by Lens in the Trophee des Champions.

Barcola, who's valued at an eye-watering 145million, and Mbaye, valued at around 40m, watched from the stands at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis amid strong interest from Liverpool. The Reds are keen to sign both wingers in separate deals.

PSG have this week brought in Ferran Torres and Mika Godts to strengthen their forward line, pushing Barcola and Mbaye down the pecking order. But even with their two new signings not ready to face Lens, Barcola and Mbaye weren't invovled either.

In his post-match press conference, Enrique was asked about the decision and gave a short shrift. "Thank you, goodbye," the PSG manager replied before walking out of the media room.

FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

[]

Get YOUR Mirror Football Newsletter

Get our comprehensive football coverage, with news, updates, opinions, analysis and everything that matters to you, straight to your inbox.

To get it, it's a quick and easy one-two:

1. Head THIS WAY

2. Enter your email and hit Subscribe

Enrique wasn't best pleased after watching his side toil against Lens, who won the Coupe de France last season to set up a clash with Ligue 1 title winners PSG. Florian Thauvin scored just after the half-hour mark before Lens were reduced to 10 men before the break.

Kyllian Antonio saw red after a late studs-up challenge on Maghnes Akliouche, another forward who PSG recently signed. The hosts were forced to play with 10 men from the 39th minute onwards but held firm until the teams were balanced out.

PSG had a man sent off in the closing stages, as Nuno Mendes was given his marching orders for an elbow on Michal Skoras. Lens managed to see out the win and shocked the Champions League holders.

Should Liverpool sign both Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye? Have your say in the comments section.

[Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #29 Bradley Barcola (R) celebrates with Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #49 Ibrahim Mbaye after scoring his team's second goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and RC Lens at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, on September 14, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)]

View 2 Images

Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye are targets for Liverpool(Image: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Barcola and Mbaye's futures will now be in the spotlight as the transfer window enters its final two weeks. On Saturday, Enrique made a point that if a player isn't happy at the Parc des Princes, a 'solution' needs to be found.

"We are a very young, very ambitious team," the Spaniard affirmed. "It is important for us to make changes and look for players who enjoy playing our way and who love playing for PSG. That is very clear to us.

"When a player doesn't want to come here, or doesn't have a smile on their face about being here, it is better to find another solution."

Join our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Article continues below

[Daily Mirror Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.