Bradley Barcola Hits First Liverpool Goals in LASK Champions League Rout
Bradley Barcola registered his first Liverpool goals in emphatic fashion, scoring a Champions League hat-trick as the Reds beat LASK 6-3 at the Raiffeisen Arena in Austria. The summer arrival was named Player of the Match after an outstanding display of finishing and pace in behind, helping Liverpool preserve their perfect start to the league phase.
A landmark European evening
- Barcola put Liverpool ahead with the first goal of his Liverpool career, then added a second before half-time to give the visitors control of an open contest.
- Liverpool continued to create chances after the interval, with Barcola completing his treble to make it a memorable first major European night for the forward.
- Ronald Araújo and Lewis Koumas each scored their first Liverpool goals, while Jeremie Frimpong also found the net with a header.
- LASK scored three times during a frantic second half, but Liverpool’s attacking output ensured the Austrian side could not mount a decisive recovery.
The 6-3 result was notable beyond Barcola’s hat-trick. Liverpool selected the third-youngest starting side in their Champions League history, with an average age of 24 years and 186 days. It was also only the third occasion on which the club have scored at least six goals away from home in European competition.
UEFA’s Technical Observer Group awarded Barcola the Player of the Match prize, recognising his clinical finishing, ability to beat opponents individually and repeated runs beyond the LASK defence.
Iraola praises Barcola and Wirtz
Head coach Andoni Iraola said Barcola had answered recent questions about his end product, while also highlighting the contribution of Florian Wirtz.
“I’m very pleased for Bradley,” Iraola said. “You had asked yesterday about him not producing the numbers. Today, both players performed extremely well and made the difference.”
Iraola added that Barcola had posed a threat throughout the match, both in one-versus-one situations and when attacking space behind the defence. The Liverpool coach said the forward should savour the occasion, describing a Champions League hat-trick as a difficult achievement.
Busy schedule ahead
The victory leaves Liverpool on six points from their opening two continental fixtures. Their immediate attention will shift to the Premier League, with an away match against Brentford scheduled in fewer than three days.
Iraola stressed the need to use the whole squad during a demanding sequence of matches. Liverpool then return to Anfield next Tuesday, when Villarreal visit for their next Champions League assignment, with Barcola looking to build on his breakthrough display in Austria.
