Liverpool dispatched UEFA Champions League newcomers LASK in a nine-goal thriller, with Bradley Barcola netting a hat-trick on a night that saw Florian Wirtz deliver a timely answer to his detractors.
The French forward wasted no time finding the net following his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain, shining alongside his German counterpart. Wirtz, coming off a disappointing debut campaign, had endured a sluggish start to the season but took command in Austria, helping Andoni Iraola’s side secure back-to-back victories to kick off their European adventure.
Wirtz combined impressively with marquee summer signing Barcola, who struck twice before the break. Ronald Araújo got Liverpool on the scoresheet first, and within moments of the second half resuming, Jeremie Frimpong had nodded home Liverpool’s fourth, as per The Mirror.
-Credit:Jasmin Walter – UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images
On a night where Iraola may have defensive concerns, his attack fired on all cylinders as Lewis Koumas, who had impressed at the weekend, rounded off the scoring with Liverpool’s sixth.
Despite LASK rattling off three goals in a 15-minute spell to test Alisson and energize their passionate home support, the English side always maintained a comfortable cushion.
Two goals in the space of 100 seconds during the first half effectively ended the contest for the Austrian side. Araújo’s opener arrived from a corner, with the on-loan defender heading home with little difficulty.
Liverpool wasted no time capitalizing on their momentum and, following a breathtaking individual effort from Rio Ngumoha along the right-hand side, the ball ultimately reached Barcola, who struck first-time into the distant corner. The French forward would have hoped to capitalize better on his earlier chances, but his goal will at last silence the chatter surrounding his opening chapter in red.
Koumas believed he’d extended the lead to three around the half-hour point, but his finish was ruled out for offside. Barcola did secure Liverpool’s third moments later, slotting past the keeper after Wirtz had picked him out with an intelligent pass. Frimpong pushed the match further beyond reach on 51 minutes, with Liverpool firmly in command.
To listen to the latest episode of ‘All Out Soccer’ – Liverpool's Bradley Barcola stars with hat-trick
The perpetually passionate LASK faithful were rewarded with plenty to celebrate during a productive spell that saw substitute Robert Ljubičić claw one back, with Florian Flecker adding a pair of his own.
Nestled between those three goals was Barcola’s hat-trick effort and another from Koumas, who was once more deployed as the central striker.
Disregard any qualifications about the caliber of the opponents, this is precisely the type of fixture where a £100 million ($132 million) talent should dominate, and that is exactly what Wirtz delivered. The match appeared to pause momentarily whenever the German received possession, and it’s that caliber of excellence Liverpool believed they’d secured last summer.
Displays of this caliber have been scarce, but with an unproven forward ahead of him and a youthful midfielder providing support, Wirtz recognized the need to seize control – and seize control he certainly did.
He repeatedly discovered pockets of space, his tidy touches created time on the ball, and he consistently positioned his colleagues advantageously, orchestrating play in the manner he showcased at Bayer Leverkusen.
What will particularly please Iraola is how dynamic Barcola appeared operating down the left flank, something that stemmed partly from Wirtz’s contributions. The pair combined effectively, and it’s a partnership those at Anfield will be eager to see flourish further.
The German located his new teammate brilliantly, enabling the former PSG player to finish during the opening period, essentially sealing the result before the interval had even arrived.
-Credit:Jasmin Walter – UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images
Examine any squad and you’ll notice how the center forward or wide attackers flourish when their creative midfielder hits top form. Kevin De Bruyne and Martin Ødegaard demonstrated this for years in the Premier League, and Barcola undoubtedly reaped the rewards from Wirtz delivering one of his finest Liverpool performances.
Following his £123 million ($166.6 million) transfer as Liverpool’s headline signing this summer, Barcola has appeared energetic but lacking in final product. He squandered several gilt-edged opportunities in his team’s previous European encounter when they defeated Atlético Madrid.
This time around he was right on target, on hand to complete Wirtz’s impressive work following some slick runs and polished finishing. There’s no question that everyone connected with the Reds will breathe a sigh of relief seeing two of their three most expensive signings ever deliver the way they did.
Barcola’s hat-trick was precisely the headline he’ll have been after, given how his price tag could have weighed on him throughout the campaign, and he looks like a confidence player — so watch this space.
-Credit:Jasmin Walter – UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images
After conceding three against City at the weekend, the last thing Iraola needed was another shaky display at the back, but that’s exactly what he’s been left to sit with.
Worryingly, this wasn’t against players of the caliber of Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku — this was a LASK side who are far from regulars in the Champions League. Their goals were celebrated like victories — and they managed three of them.
Alisson’s frustration captured just how those goals may be scrutinized when it comes to Liverpool. Sure, the LASK strikes always arrived with the Reds comfortably ahead, but clean sheets have been hard to come by this season.
This is a defensive unit that looks far from solid, and sharper opposition will find plenty to take advantage of.
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