Liverpool analysis from the Raiffeisen Arena as Andoni Iraola's side win 6-3 against LASK in the Champions League
LINZ, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 14: Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool is challenged by Yvan Dibango of LASK during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between LASK and Liverpool FC at Oberösterreich Arena on October 14, 2026 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool is challenged by Yvan Dibango of LASK during the Champions League match in Austria (Image: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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If Liverpool have learned anything from the revamped nature of the Champions League, it is that there is no great need to go flat out in the group stage. Two seasons ago, Arne Slot's side finished top by winning seven of their eight games before being promptly rewarded with eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in the knockouts.
Last term, a round-of-16 meeting with Galatasaray was negotiated to set up another clash with PSG before a humbling at the hands of the holders, who went on to retain their title.
So the quaint idea that a higher finish helps secure a more favourable draw down the line doesn't quite stand up to the reality.
Successive victories over Atletico Madrid and now LASK - with this faintly ridiculous 6-3 win in Austria - should give Andoni Iraola some leeway in his first season coaching in the European Cup.
Aside from the financial benefits of winning games in this well-heeled competition, there is no obvious sporting need to try and finish top, or even near the summit of what is a 36-team competition.
The general strategy now will be to get the points in the bag early on before giving the team an opportunity to rest and rotate when the fixtures really start to pile up across November and December.
Maximum points from the two games so far and a winnable fixture at home to Villarreal could set Liverpool up with the sort of breathing room that could be invaluable domestically across the winter months.
A top-eight finish is all that is really required these days and 16 points has been enough for that in the two terms of this new-look Swiss system. A win at Anfield next week will already put them past the half-way mark of that tally.
Mixed night for Frimpong
The fact that Jeremie Frimpong scored a towering header perhaps accentuates why this was a strange old evening in Linz. The Netherlands international has plenty of strengths as a pacey and versatile option in the Reds squad, but the diminutive Dutchman will never count aerial prowess among his gifts.
So the sight of him rising high to steer home a Kostas Tsimikas corner summed it all up on what was a mixed night for the defender.
At times, he looked a real force down that right side, teaming up with the impressive Rio Ngumoha to bamboozle a LASK defence that, particularly in the first period, looked shell-shocked.
Frimpong's cross for Bradley Barcola's third goal was on a plate for the Frenchman, and he also provided Lewis Koumas, who had oceans of space, with a ball that allowed the Wirral forward to score his first Champions League goal.
LINZ, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 14: Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between LASK and Liverpool FC at Oberösterreich Arena on October 14, 2026 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Jeremie Frimpong celebrates after his header puts Liverpool 4-0 up at LASK(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Defensively, however, Frimpong left much to be desired in the second half as LASK rattled in three goals in 14 minutes, all originating down that right side.
In many ways then, it was a game where we learned little about the former Bayer Leverkusen man's capabilities, despite his high level of involvement. A threat offensively who is susceptible defensively.
Iraola, who is not known as the most naturally cautious of coaches, might seek to reinstall centre-half Ronald Araujo to the right-back spot when the powerful Brentford host the Reds this weekend.
Ngumoha gives Iraola food for thought
Like the rest of his colleagues on a bit of a wild night at the office, Ngumoha will have tougher tests that will await him this campaign.
But as he continues to find his feet on the right side of the pitch under Iraola, this was a sizable stride forward for the 18-year-old winger.
When your competition is a £123m France international who scores a hat-trick, there can be few complaints if you are deployed outside of your natural habitat, but Ngumoha didn't let the unfamiliar territory slow him down on that right flank.
The fearless wideman has, of course, played the majority of his career as a left winger but necessity dictates his current role as he seeks more game time under Iraola. And he certainly gave the Reds head coach plenty to think about ahead of Saturday's trip to Brentford.
Involved in Barcola's first goal with an insistent charge at the LASK backline, Ngumoha was a menace all game for LASK, who, by the end, were resorting to simply kicking the former Chelsea academy starlet.
Like everything else they tried, it didn't work and Ngumoha has certainly put down a marker for more Premier League minutes going forward on this evidence.
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