Barcola scores hat-trick as Liverpool rout LASK in Champions League

Summarised from 7 outlets · 10 reports · Updated 14 Oct, 20:16 · Archive

Bradley Barcola scored a hat-trick as Liverpool defeated LASK 6-3 in the Champions League, the French winger's first goals for the club since his £123m summer move from Paris Saint-Germain.

Bradley Barcola scored a hat-trick as Liverpool demolished LASK 6-3 in a Champions League match in Austria, finally opening his account for the club after five previous appearances without a goal or assist. The French winger's performance came just four days after Liverpool's 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City, which had raised questions about the value of the £123 million summer signing from Paris Saint-Germain.

Defender Ronald Araujo headed Liverpool's opening goal midway through the first half. Barcola responded swiftly, scoring twice before half-time with finishes described as clinical and tidy. His first came from a flick by Lewis Koumas that allowed him to sweep a first-time finish into the far corner, whilst his second came from a Florian Wirtz pass. A third goal, a tap-in from a Jeremie Frimpong cross in the second half, completed his hat-trick.

Florian Wirtz, Liverpool's other major summer signing at over £100 million, shone after coming under criticism for his underwhelming performances earlier in the season. Right-back Jeremie Frimpong also scored with an excellent header early in the second half. Lewis Koumas, the Welsh forward filling in for the injured Alexander Isak, scored Liverpool's sixth goal.

Liverpool produced a dominant display with 19 shots in the opening period alone, a new record for an away team in the first half of a Champions League game. Manager Andoni Iraola rested several key players including captain Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister ahead of Saturday's visit to Brentford.

However, the performance was marred by defensive lapses. When van Dijk and Joe Gomez were introduced at centre-back in the 62nd minute, LASK scored three times, prompting concerns about Liverpool's vulnerability at the back. This marked the second consecutive game in which Liverpool conceded three goals.

The victory maintained Liverpool's 100 per cent record in the Champions League following an earlier win over Atlético Madrid. Manager Iraola had publicly backed both Barcola and Wirtz before the match, expressing '100 per cent trust' in the pair despite their slow starts to the season and criticism from observers including former Arsenal player Emmanuel Petit, who claimed Liverpool had overpaid significantly for Barcola.

How it is being reported

• Barcola scores hat-trick as Liverpool thrash LASKBradley Barcola scored a hat-trick and Florian Wirtz shone after recent criticism as Liverpool thrashed LASK 6-3 to earn their second win in the Champions League.Sky Sports · 14 Oct, 20:12
• Barcola scores hat-trick as Liverpool hit LASK for six... but concede three cheap goalsBarcola scores hat-trick as Liverpool hit LASK for six... but concede three cheap goalsThe Telegraph · 14 Oct, 20:05
• Bradley Barcola’s clinical hat-trick inspires Liverpool to 6-3 rout of LaskLiverpool cleansed themselves from the stains of defeat by Manchester City at the earliest opportunity. A rampant performance in Austria, where Bradley Barcola opened his account for Andoni Iraola’s side with a hat-trick, maintained Liverpool’s 100% start to the Champions League and shattered Lask’s big night on the elite European stage. Iraola defended the majority of Liverpool’s display against City, the club’s £123m signing from Paris Saint-Germain and the effectiveness of Florian Wirtz before the return to European action. His faith and confidence were rewarded as his team routed limited…Guardian Sport · 14 Oct, 19:51
• LASK 3-6 Liverpool: Bradley Barcola hits hat-trick in chaotic Champions League goal-festNine-figure Frenchman has produced his first true statement performance since signing from Paris Saint-Germain for £123mEvening Standard · 14 Oct, 19:48
• LASK 3-6 Liverpool: Bradley Barcola breaks his duck in stunning style - but Reds must back up impressive performance in the league to regain confidence lost by Man City thumping, writes LEWIS STEELELEWIS STEELE AT THE RAIFFEISEN ARENA: The victory helped blow away the cobwebs of any potential post-Manchester City hangover and, above all, injected some much-needed confidence.Daily Mail Sport · 14 Oct, 19:45
• How Bradley Barcola scored his Liverpool hat-trick, but were defensive lapses a concern?LASK 3-6 Liverpool: Andoni Iraola’s side enjoyed a big Champions League win as Lewis Koumas also got on the scoresheet in AustriaIndependent Sport · 14 Oct, 19:43
• Bradley Barcola announces Liverpool arrival with stunning treble but alarm bells ringLASK 3-6 LIVERPOOL: Bradley Barcola scored half of his side's goals in a high scoring affair that saw the Reds secure their second Champions League win in as many gamesMirror Sport · 14 Oct, 19:36
• Liverpool news: Wirtz backed for shock transfer and Barcola 'worth half his price tag'Liverpool's recent transfer business continues to sow division as the Reds' record purchases find themselves in the latest headlines this weekMirror Sport · 14 Oct, 05:00
• Andoni Iraola defends under-fire Florian Wirtz and summer signing Bradley Barcola - as he insists they will give Liverpool 'good performances' and that he trusts duo '100 per cent'Andoni Iraola says he has '100 per cent trust' in Liverpool's misfiring, big-money duo Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz.Daily Mail Sport · 13 Oct, 21:23
• 'Everyone in France knows it:' Liverpool paid DOUBLE what they should have for £123m Bradley Barcola, says Emmanuel PetitBarcola, 24, has failed to score or assists or even create a big chance in his six appearances since joining the Reds - leading some to fear he could be another Florian Wirtz.Daily Mail Sport · 13 Oct, 14:52

In this story: Bradley Barcola · Liverpool · LASK · Florian Wirtz · Andoni Iraola · Paris Saint-Germain · Manchester City · Austria

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