Liverpool dismantled LASK 6-3 in Linz to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League and bounce back from their first defeat of the season against Manchester City on Sunday.
Bradley Barcola marked his first goal for Liverpool with a hat-trick, finally ending a drought that had stretched six appearances for the £123m summer signing from Paris Saint-Germain. Ronald Araújo also scored his first goal for the club with a header from a Kostas Tsimikas corner. Jeremie Frimpong and another goal completed Liverpool’s tally against limited opponents.
Andoni Iraola rested Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister ahead of Saturday’s visit to Brentford, handing a new-look central defence to Araújo and Jérémy Jacquet. The defensive reshuffle, combined with LASK’s struggle to retain possession, made for a one-sided affair. Liverpool had 19 attempts in the first half alone—more than any other away side in a Champions League first half since records began in 2003-04.
Florian Wirtz provided the assist for Barcola’s second goal and looked more at home in the competition than he has in the Premier League. Barcola’s struggles for form had drawn criticism after arriving as one of Iraola’s marquee signings, but this display answered those questions emphatically.
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How this story developed
- 14 Oct We first reported this.
- 14 Oct Empire of the Kop highlights Trey Nyoni's performance at the base of midfield, noting 46 passes at 93% accuracy, and suggests he could start against Brentford with Gravenberch suspended.
- 14 Oct Ian Doyle's match analysis praises Barcola and Wirtz's performances and highlights youngsters Nyoni, Ngumoha and Koumas.
- 14 Oct BBC Sport adds Iraola's post-match comments on Barcola and Wirtz, detail on the 19 shots in the first half (a Champions League record since 2003-04), and Koumas becoming Liverpool's youngest player to
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