Liverpool players including Lewis Koumas and Florian Wirtz celebrate after Bradley Barcola scores
Liverpool players including Lewis Koumas and Florian Wirtz celebrate after Bradley Barcola scores
If any Liverpool fans were getting concerned about Bradley Barcola's early season form, those worries were put to bed when he scored a hat-trick in the 6-3 Champions League victory against LASK.
Barcola became the latest £100m+ Liverpool signing during the summer transfer window and there is big pressure on his shoulders not only because of the price tag, but because right now he is viewed as Mohamed Salah's replacement.
We all know how crucial Salah's impact on the Reds was in terms of goals and assists, and the fact that the France international went his first 10 games for club and country this season without either would have been an early concern.
However, we saw the quality that Barcola brings in the final third following three goals for France at the 2026 World Cup, and as well as needing some time to adapt to English football, it would be no surprise if there was some tiredness from the summer tournament too.
The 24-year-old netted a treble in Austria, and it could have easily been more, and that is the type of goalscoring fan Andoni Iraola and supporters of the Merseyside outfit will be keen to see going forward.
His contribution was especially important given Iraola is currently without Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike through injury, with the trio three of the club's best in terms of putting the ball in the net.
Isak and Ekitike being out at the same time would have given Iraola quite the headache, but rather than using Barcola or Victor Munoz in the centre-forward role, he has instead placed his faith in 21-year-old Lewis Koumas.
The youngster paid his manager back with another fine display against LASK, just days after he impressively led the line against Manchester City at Anfield.
Koumas Emergence Could Change Liverpool Plans
Lewis Koumas, Jayden Danns and Trey Nyoni with the EFL Cup trophy
Lewis Koumas, Jayden Danns and Trey Nyoni with the EFL Cup trophy
New Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward looks like he could have a busy 2027, with reinforcements needed across the pitch just weeks after the summer transfer window closed.
The Reds didn't bring in the right-sided winger they tried to get towards the end of the window, while there are question marks over both full-back positions heading into next year.
The Merseysiders look set to sign a new central midfielder in 2027 with Alex Scott, Manu Kone and Lamine Camara all on the club's shortlist, according to GMS sources, while they could be forced to look at the goalkeeping and centre-back positions too if they don't agree new contracts with Alisson and Virgil van Dijk in the next months.
One position Ward and Iraola may have been taking a look at in addition to those would have been striker, given the Spaniard is currently without his top two options.
Liverpool may have felt that they needed a senior option to compete with Isak and Ekitike, but Koumas officially announced himself as a player capable of having a big impact at the top level following Wednesday night's win.
Just days after facing City, the 21-year-old assisted one of Barcola's goals and then scored himself in the 72nd minute, proving he belongs at this level.
It was the least Koumas deserved, having also had two goals ruled out, and his work-rate and the quality he is showing means he is a strong striker option for Iraola this season, and hopefully beyond.
Yes, LASK weren't the strongest opponent Liverpool will face in the Champions League this season, but you still need to turn up and produce and that's exactly what Koumas did.
If Ward was considering adding a new centre-forward to the squad, he may be thinking again after Koumas' emergence, and the youngster may have just saved FSG millions of pounds.