Liverpool fans have reacted on X - Source: All images from Getty
Liverpool fans have reacted on X - Source: All images from Getty
Liverpool fans on X have hailed Bradley Barcola after he scored a brilliant hat-trick during their emphatic 6-3 win over LASK in their UEFA Champions League clash. The two sides faced each other at the Raiffeisen Arena on Wednesday, October 14.
The Reds started on the front foot, breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute after Ronald Araujo headed the ball into the bottom corner following a corner. Bradley Barcola then scored his first goal for Liverpool two minutes later with a well-taken finish into the top-left corner.
Andoni Iraola and Co. continued to dominate and were rewarded for their efforts soon after. Barcola and Florian Wirtz combined to great effect in the 37th minute, with the former slotting home into the bottom corner. Jeremie Frimpong (51') and Robert Ljubicic (63') then scored one goal apiece to make it 4-1 before Barcola completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute with a simple tap-in.
After having two goals chalked off due to offside, academy graduate Lewis Koumas found the back of the net in the 72nd minute to net the Reds' sixth of the game. However, LASK scored two late consolation goals following Florian Flecker's brace.
Fans were overjoyed by Barcola's outstanding performance following his high-profile move from PSG over the summer, with one posting:
"FIRST SENIOR HATTRICK FOR BRADLEY BARCOLA. WHAT A WAY TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF. THAT IS MY WINGER!"
FIRST SENIOR HATTRICK FOR BRADLEY BARCOLA. WHAT A WAY TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF. THAT IS MY WINGER! π«π· π΄
Another fan tweeted:
"Bradley Barcola. Best winger in the league bro heβs ahead of all his peers."
Bradley Barcola. Best winger in the league bro heβs ahead of all his peers.
Other fans reacted below:
Desperate pundits wrote Barcola off after four games. Next game? Champions League hat-trick. Yeah, weβre good. π«π· #LFC
BRADLEY BARCOLA SCORES HIS FIRST EVER CAREER HATTRICK!!!!π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯ the Prem Farmers league aint ready for what he is about to cook up
How did Liverpool fare during their 6-3 win over LASK?
Despite conceding three goals to LASK during their Champions League clash, Liverpool had a fantastic showing and impressed in the final third. Let's take a look at the stats to see how the Reds fared following their recent 3-0 loss against Manchester City.
The Reds dominated possession with 64 percent of the ball, completing 524 passes with an accuracy of 91 percent. In comparison, the hosts had 36 percent possession and completed 251 passes (81 percent accuracy), per FotMob.
Liverpool were also much better going forward, landing 26 shots in total, with nine being on target. They also hit the woodwork once, garnering an xG of 3.34. Meanwhile, LASK mustered 12 shots, with four being on target (xG of 2.02).