Barcola scores first Liverpool goals in hat-trick as Reds beat LASK 6-3

Liverpool beat LASK 6-3 in Linz on Wednesday, 14 October, as Bradley Barcola scored his first goals for the club in a Champions League hat-trick. The result followed a 3-0 Premier League defeat by Manchester City on Sunday, although LASK’s three second-half goals raised concerns about Liverpool’s defending.

How Liverpool built a three-goal half-time lead

Ronald Araujo opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, according to The 4th Official; Reuters reported that it was his first Liverpool goal. Barcola scored twice before half-time, with The 4th Official placing his second goal in the 37th minute. Liverpool led 3-0 at the break, giving LASK a substantial deficit in its first home game in Europe’s elite club competition, as described by Reuters.

Jeremie Frimpong added Liverpool’s fourth goal in the 51st minute. The 4th Official credited him with two assists as well as the goal and credited Kostas Tsimikas with two assists. Those contributions spread Liverpool’s attacking output beyond Barcola even as his hat-trick became the defining performance of the match.

LASK’s second-half goals and Liverpool’s response

Robert Ljubicic scored for LASK in the 63rd minute, The 4th Official reported, and Barcola completed his hat-trick three minutes later. Lewis Koumas scored Liverpool’s sixth in the 72nd minute. Reuters said the offside flag had denied Koumas twice earlier in the match.

Florian Flecker then scored twice for LASK within three second-half minutes, Reuters reported. His goals brought the home side’s total to three despite Liverpool’s commanding lead. Reuters assessed that manager Andoni Iraola would be less satisfied with Liverpool’s defensive display after the goals it conceded.

What Barcola’s hat-trick means for his Liverpool start

Reuters described the hat-trick as relief for Barcola after a slow start and growing scrutiny following his big-money move. The 4th Official named him its man of the match and awarded him a 10 out of 10 player rating, reflecting that outlet’s assessment of his performance. Liverpool had opened its Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid, while LASK lost 1-0 to AEK Athens in September, Reuters reported.