Liverpool star Bradley Barcola has received plenty of praise for his performance in the side's win over LASK in the Champions League, where he scored a hat-trick
Bradley Barcola of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their team's fifth goal and their third for a hattrick during the UEFA Champions League
Bradley Barcola has been praised for his display in Liverpool's win over LASK(Image: (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
Bradley Barcola has received plenty of plaudits for his standout performance in Liverpool's win over LASK on Wednesday night, as the winger scored his first few goals for the side.
After a difficult start with the Reds, both fans and pundits have been calling for the summer signing to make a real difference in key games, while he continues to settle into life in England and the Premier League.
There was some criticism for his display in Liverpool's defeat to Manchester City over the weekend, while starting on the wing against LASK offered the France international an opportunity to build some momentum.
Barcola took that opportunity and ran with it. The forward popped up three times to score for Andoni Iraola's side in a 6-3 victory, opening his account in impressive fashion.
It marked a first senior career hat-trick for the star, quite the landmark to reach with his first few goals for the Merseyside outfit. Tougher challenges await, but it is something to build on, with the summer signing receiving plenty of praise from teammates old and new on social media.
Taking to Instagram after the game, Barcola posted pictures of his celebration, with the comments being filled with kind words. Among them was former PSG teammate Ousmane Dembele, who said: "Mon chouchou", which translates from French to mean "My favorite".
Another ex-teammate in Desire Doue commented: "Hat trickkkk mannn". Meanwhile, fellow Liverpool stars were in the comments posting emojis to sum up their reaction to the game.
Among those were Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Jeremie Frimpong, all taking time to show their affection for the star.
It could be a moment that truly sparks the start of Barcola's time at Liverpool, giving him the confidence to push on and start playing a larger role in the side's forward line for the weeks and months ahead.
“Football is like this - one week you are incredible and then the next you're not," Iraola said on the winger after the win over LASK, while looking ahead to the next match.
"The ones involved in the game with more perspective, he has been an important player for France and PSG, and now it is about finding the best connections with teammates and learning and understanding everyone, where they prefer the ball and if they want to attack the spaces."
Bradley Barcola celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between LASK and Liverpool FC at Oberösterreich Arena on October 14, 2026
Building those connections will now be key to finding long-term success, as the upcoming clash with Brentford gives him a fresh challenge of facing a well-coached team filled with plenty of talent.
It remains to be seen whether he can keep up the level that he showed in midweek, but Barcola will certainly hope that it is simply the start of something much bigger at Liverpool.