Liverpool thrashed LASK 6-3 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, with Bradley Barcola scoring his first goals for the club in a hat-trick performance that helped maintain their perfect start in the competition.
The French forward, who joined Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain for £123 million in August, had faced criticism over his performances but silenced his doubters with three goals in his seventh appearance.
Ronald Araujo opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a header from Kostas Tsimikas’ corner before Barcola doubled Liverpool’s lead less than two minutes later.
Barcola struck again in the 37th minute after exchanging passes with Florian Wirtz, giving Liverpool a comfortable 3-0 advantage at half-time.
Jeremie Frimpong extended the lead in the 51st minute, heading home Tsimikas’ cross before Robert Ljubicic pulled one back for LASK in the 63rd minute.
Barcola completed his hat-trick three minutes later, finishing a pass from Frimpong, while Lewis Koumas added Liverpool’s sixth goal in the 72nd minute with a powerful strike.
LASK responded through Florian Flecker, who scored twice in the closing stages after Liverpool’s defence failed to deal with the hosts’ attacks. However, the Austrian side could not mount a comeback as Liverpool secured all three points.
The victory marked Liverpool’s second consecutive win in the Champions League following their opening success against Atletico Madrid, offering a timely response to their 3-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
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Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola had backed Barcola and Wirtz despite their inconsistent performances, with injuries to Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai increasing the pressure on the attacking duo.
While Barcola’s display provided a major boost, Liverpool’s defensive lapses remain a concern after they conceded three goals despite establishing a commanding lead.
