Barcola starts to justify £123m price tag with hat-trick as Liverpool hit LASK for six

0Bradley Barcola scored his first Liverpool goals – and the first hat-trick of his career – as Andoni Iraola’s side beat Austrian side LASK 6-3 in Linz – Alexander Hassenstein/Getty ImagesThere was no grand gesture as Bradley Barcola walked back to the bench, just a high-five from Andoni Iraola, but everyone knew the significance.

If you are going end a barren spell, you do not want to just turn on the taps but burst the dam and that is precisely what Barcola did on a wild night in Austria. He needed one goal to get his Liverpool career up and running, he ended up getting three and leaving with the match ball.

Iraola had said he was not concerned about Barcola’s numbers when Liverpool arrived in Linz, even if no goals and no assists since his £123m move from Paris St-Germain had caused debate, but those numbers look infinitely better now after his first senior hat-trick.

Barcola should have had the stage to himself on an evening when Liverpool were so obviously better than LASK Linz but it will have frustrated Iraola immensely that his team scoring six times was tarnished by three daft goals being given up in the final 25 minutes.

We can look at the late switch off in due course but the only place to begin is with Barcola, who looked ready for business as early as the eighth minute when his first touch was a cushioned back heel, taking possession by crossing one leg behind the other, and how he seized his moment.

Liverpool had already taken the lead when Ronald Araújo rose powerfully to head in a Kostas Tsimikas corner but, two minutes after, the Barcola show began, a confident right-foot shot being swept past Lukas Jungwirth from 10 yards.

He put his fingers in his ears as he celebrated, with every outfield player running to engulf him, and it was clear how much Barcola was aware of the requirement to get up and running, especially with Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak and Dominik Szoboszlai injured.

Liverpool need Barcola to deliver as much as the player himself needed to prove a little point and there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a cause to light a fire. Like a batsman who has been waiting nervously to get off the mark, soon the France international began playing his shots.

There were cushioned touches, changes of gear and even a stunned pass to Ryan Gravenberch, using his heel, that showed confidence had started surging through him and how obvious that was when Florian Wirtz sent him scampering away in the 37th minute to finish with his left foot.

That effectively ended the game as a contest, so how it was bizarre how it ended up 6-3. Jeremie Frimpong had made it 4-0 and Robert Ljubicic’s reply in the 65th minute looked nothing more than a consolation before Barcola completed his hat-trick.

A brilliant night should have been glossed by Lewis Koumas’s first European goal – and how much it meant to him – but LASK kept pushing and exploited spaces to halve the deficit with a double from Florian Flekker, much to Alisson Becker’s obvious disgust.

But some lapses of concentration won’t detract from this being Barcola’s night. The ambition must now be to do it in the Premier League. Liverpool have invested all that money for him to do it over and over again.

A very entertaining way for Liverpool to make it six points from six in the Champions League. The hardest game they have left is Inter away – a fixture they won last season when badly out of form – so they have a real chance to push for a top-two finish that would mean home second legs in the knockout-stages.

This was a good night for Iraola, who was able to rotate before a tough game at Brentford. A hat-trick for Barcola and a much-improved performance from Wirtz were most welcome, but now they need to show some consistency.

Mac Allister and Gravenberch make hard work of clearing a low LASK cross, but they eventually do so. The home team have finished with a flourish and the scoreline looks more respectable for them.

Liverpool’s substitutes have not had the desired effect. Munoz is now on for Barcola, and Ngumoha has gone down with some cramp. The young wingers is substituted, as well as Nyoni, replaced by Mac Allister and Chambers.

Ngumoha too quick for LASK to handle once again, and he is hacked down at the expense of a free-kick. From there, Liverpool win a corner, which they take short and keep possession. Just trying to restore some order in the game.

The score is now LASK 3 Liverpool 6 if you are struggling to keep score. Liverpool have conceded three since Van Dijk was introduced. This was a very tidy finish from Flecker, guiding a bouncing ball beyond Alisson with the inside of his foot.

With the exception of fixtures against a select band of eight or 10 teams, these Champions League nights are becoming like League Cup ties for the Premier League teams: loads of goals, youngsters impressing and senior players in second gear.

The player who scored against Liverpool in December 2023 in the Europa League has done it again, finding an empty net with a diving header after some more loose Liverpool defending.

Denied twice by the offisde flag, Koumas has now scored his first Champions League goal. LASK were caught in possession in their left-back area, and Frimpong delivered to the unmarked Koumas who swept the ball beneath the goalkeeper Jungwirth.

Ngumoha has been a livewire throughout the game, and another shot on the LASK goal is blocked.

Then Barcola is in behind again, showing his pace to reach a Tsimikas through ball, but the winger’s dink over the goalkeeper is cleared.

That is a really well-worked Liverpool goal, with Ngumoha slipping a pass between wing-back and centre-back for the run of Frimpong and his low cross picks out Barcola at the back post for a tap-in.

Ljubicic had only been on the pitch for 30 seconds or so, but he has just beaten Alisson with a composed finish after the Austrian side found a way in behind down Liverpool’s right. That gives the home fans something to take home with them.

An unnecessary blot for Liverpool, Joe Gomez – who had only been introduced 60 seconds earlier – played LASK onside and the home side now have a goal. Gomez found himself being chided by both Alisson and Trey Nyoni.

Here come the Liverpool changes, and they come at centre-back: Araujo and Jacquet off, replaced by Van Dijk and Gomez.

Iraola opting to keep his centre-back options fresh, perhaps with an eye on the aerial bombardment that a trip to Brentford can involve. Araujo has been played at right-back domestically.

Alisson called into action for the first time tonight, and it was a sharp save down at his near post after Flecker cut inside from the right and let fly with his left foot.

The one thing that will put a gloss on the evening for Andoni Iraola is if Lewis Koumas can get himself a goal. The whole squad will be willing him to hit the target, having had two efforts ruled out for offside already. He’s provided a real lift to the atmosphere, an academy product showing you can still make the grade with hard work and a refusal to give up.

For the second time tonight, Lewis Koumas thought he had his goal only for the offside flag to be raised. Correctly, once again. Just a little too eager for his chance, but if he keeps going there is a goal in this for Koumas.

I doubt any Liverpool fans had a Frimpong headed goal on their bingo card, but that is a much-needed positive contribution from the right-back. Barcola dangerous down the left again, Tsimikas chips a cross into the box, and it was an impressive leap from Frimpong to score.

The home team moving the ball around with some confidence, but they look so vulnerable to Liverpool’s counter-attacks whenever they lose possession.

That LASK attack carried more punch though: there was an important defensive touch from Nyoni, before Lang fires just wide of the post at the edge of the box.

How many more goals will Liverpool add to their tally in the second half?

Flecker replaces Jorgensen. Iraola has decided against making any subs.

Liverpool well on their way to consecutive wins in the Champions League league phase, and the big positive is the threat offered by Barcola, Wirtz as well as Ngumoha. Barcola and Wirtz also offered signs of a promising partnership. The gulf in class is stark, and Iraola can now make changes with Brentford in mind.

Wirtz looking a far more confident player, not that this is the most exacting test, and he tests the goalkeeper with a curling shot towards the far corner. There will be just one minute of added time to play.

Liverpool’s wingers Barcola and Ngumoha have just been far to sharp for their markers, LASK cannot cope with the pace on offer. The home team keep pushing numbers forward which could be a dangerous straregy.

That’s a very nifty assist from Florian Wirtz, played through legs into Barcola’s feet in the box, and the French winger’s touch teed him up for a left-footed finish across the goalkeeper. Game over, which was already the case.

What a difference a goal makes. Barcola’s touches and feints and skills are getting a full airing now and rightly so. He looks like he is relaxing and he should be aiming to score himself a hat-trick. Liverpool are miles clear of this team.

This game is a non-contest. Gravenberch lines up another shot from the edge of the box, before Barcola shows some quick feet in the box and his side-footed attempt loops over. The question for Iraola is the extent to which these performances and chances created will translate to Premier League standard.

Ryan Gravenberch so unlucky not to score with a shot across Jungwirth, which struck the inside of the far post and bounced away to safety, before a Wirtz shot deflects behind. Liverpool waltzing through the LASK defence with ease now.

Lewis Koumas thought he had scored a third for Liverpool, but the flag was raised for offside. He was a yard or two off, but it was still a very accomplished finish.

Liverpool just need a goal or two from Wirtz now and the night would be complete. LASK actually made a confident start in the first 20 minutes but conceding from a corner has deflated them.

Barcola is the scorer, but the initial danger was instigated by Ngumoha, dribbling around the outside of the LASK defence and into the box where he is tackled. The ball breaks free to Koumas, and he sets it back for Barcola to find the far corner. Liverpool now in command.

The goals have been coming from Liverpool and, really, it should be a night for them to plunder a hatful. LASK have loud supporters and the atmosphere being created is typically of one of these smaller European stadiums but Liverpool are miles better than LASK and should rip them apart. Bradley Barcola looked like a weight had been lifted as he got his first goal and you would now like to see him get a couple more – it’s certainly possible for him to do so.

A Van Dijk-esque header you could say, and Liverpool have punished LASK’s jittery set-piece defending. Good delivery from Tsimikas, and Araujo rose highest around seven yards out to plant a header byone Jungwirth.

Some harrying from Gravenberch is enough to win Liverpool another corner, their fifth of the game so far. The goalkeeper was shaky again, but the ball glances off a LASK head and out for another corner.

LASK are targetting Liverpool’s left flank with direct balls forward, and the big centre-forward Adeniran caused Jacquet all manner of problems near the touchline but his touch ran away from him in the box.

The another good Barcola run is found, but his shot is screwed just wide of the near post. Barcola and Wirtz certainly more involved so far.

Diligent defending from Jorgenson to halt the progress of Barcola after a burst into the penalty area from the left. From the Liverpool corner, LASK goalkeeper Jungwirth was uncertain but Araujo could not not get enough on the header.

There really is something incongruous about seeing Kostas Tsimikas wearing the Liverpool captain’s armband. He should never have been given it again after throwing it on the floor after a pre-season friendly in the United States when he, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai bickered with each other. The reason Alisson doesn’t wear it is because if there is a decision that requires him to talk to the referee in the opposition area, he would be miles from his own goal and potentially vulnerable. Alisson is the real leader on this pitch for this team.

Liverpool starting to turn their screw now. First, Wirtz skipped through a couple of challenges and fired a low shot straight at the goalkeeper before Ngumoha, playing on the right, drops a shoulder and drives to the byline, standing up a dangerous cross.

Then Wirtz tries another dribble through the middle, but his shot is charged down.

Liverpool struggling to clear their lines from the corner, and Schopf scoops a shot over the bar from the edge of the area.

Nyoni then tries a difficult reverse pass back towards Barcola but overcooks it. Moments before, there was a nice touch from Barcola to bring down a switch of play.

Lewis Koumas looking dangerous again, peeling behind LASK’s defence and rounding the goalkeeper Jungwirth on the corner of the penalty area, but he was forced wide and had to settle for a corner which the goalkeeper claims.

Then LASK pour forward again after a cheap giveaway by Araujo, and the home team win a corner of their own. Lively enough start.

Tsimikas scrambling rather to deal with a cross towards Jorgensen, before Alisson puts Liverpool under pressure with a stray pass, and LASK have a corner. Taken short, and then stood up to the back post but Liverpool clear.

Kostas Tsimikas captains Liverpool tonight, not words I ever expected to type but it is a team short of experience. Liverpool enjoying all of the possession so far, LASK are defending in a 5-2-3 shape, so Liverpool’s full-backs should have some time and space. Gravenberch does well to win a foul in midfield.

The home team play in all red, so Liverpool are in their white away strip. It looks like there is some Liverpool support among the locals/neutrals in the home end.

LASK XI: Jungwirth, Jorgensen, Mbuyamba, Alemao, Andrade, Dibango, Danek, Bogarde, Schopf, Lang, Adeniran

Subs: Schutzenauer, Schillinger, Freckleton, Ljubicic, Kalajdzic, Verhaeghe, Elfadli, Flecker, Kane.

A young Liverpool team has been selected to face Linz – the third youngest, according to Opta, that the club have fielded in the Champions League – and Andoni Iraola is being mindful of players such as Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister being overburdened ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brentford.

One novice who certainly deserves his starting spot is Trey Nyoni, the England Under-21 international has impressed in the opportunities he has been given so far this year. Watch out for his calmness on the ball and the efficiency with which he uses it.

He should get more chances in the next 10 days, as it is difficult to see Dominik Szoboszlai being ready at least until the home match against Brighton on Sunday week.

Asked about Liverpool’s youthful team, Iraola said: “For me Trey [Nyoni], [Lewis] Koumas and Rio [Ngumoha] are young players coming in from the academy but they are first team players.

“They are first team players because we trust them, and in our situation, where we have some injuries, and we come from playing three days ago. I think they can play well, and I hope they do well.”

Iraola makes four changes from the defeat by City so in come Frimpong, Tsimikas, Nyoni and Ngumoha.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Araujo, Jacquet, Tsimikas, Nyoni, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Barcola, Koumas, Ngumoha

Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Munoz, Chambers, McConnell, Danns, Sonni-Lambie, Lucky

It is early days for Bradley Barcola but is has been an underwhelming start to his Liverpool career. The winger was a rotational player at Paris St-Germain, as he is for France, so Liverpool spending £120m is a gamble on his raw athletic attributes and the hope that he pieces everything together.

As Dominic King writes in this piece: “Barcola had no control over the price that Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s former sporting director, brokered with Paris St-Germain for his release. But something he can control is public perception and, with no goals or assists so far, opinions are starting to form.”

Of the five Premier League teams in the Champions League this season, Liverpool have the friendliest league-phase fixtures and they can secure back-to-back wins against Austrian side LASK in this evening’s early kick off.

Having already vanquished one of their pot one opponents by beating Atletico Madrid at Anfield, Andoni Iraola’s team really should be targeting one of the top spots.

They travel to Linz without some key players, though. Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai missed the defeat by Manchester City and remain sidelined, while Hugo Ekitike is a long-term absentee.

There were positive aspects to Liverpool’s performance against City, but they collapsed like a deck of cards after Ryan Gravenberch’s harsh second yellow card.

Tonight’s game is one they should dominate, and it is a presentable opportunity for Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola to kick-start their seasons and respond to the recent criticism of their performances. Iraola hopes to have a stronger squad to choose from at the weekend, when Liverpool face a stringent test at Brentford. This is the second of nine matches in 28 days for Liverpool.

“You don’t have a lot of time to train,” said Iraola. “You try to prepare the games now a lot of times just with the videos and the tactics boards, just a little bit outside. You have to prioritise the freshness of the players.

“Especially now we are playing four games in 10 days, it’s keeping all the legs, all the energy in the games.

LASK are currently third in the Austrian league, but booked their place in this season’s Champions League proper with a remarkable comeback from 4-0 down on aggregate against Celtic.

They have injury problems of their own to contend with George Bello and Moses Usor limping off in the weekend’s defeat by league leaders Rapid Wien and Ramiz Harakate tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in July.

They do play on a grass pitch at the Raiffeisen Arena though Kasper Schmeichel, the former Celtic goalkeeper who was working as a TV pundit for the game, was critical of the playing surface.