Virgil van Dijk and Bradley Barcola (Image source: Getty)
Virgil van Dijk and Bradley Barcola (Image source: Getty)
Virgil van Dijk lauded the performance of Bradley Barcola following his heroics in Liverpool’s emphatic Champions League win over LASK.
Barcola, who joined Liverpool in the summer, opened his Reds account with a hat-trick in their 6-3 victory in Austria.
The three goals earned Barcola both the Player of the Match award and the Champions League Player of the Week accolade.
Speaking after the match, Van Dijk hoped that the three goals would provide the springboard the Frenchman needs to thrive at Anfield.
“It's massive for Bradley. He's very introverted anyway,” the Liverpool captain said. “He won't express his feelings too much but everyone knows that will help him so much. Hopefully there are many more hat-tricks to come.”
Barcola joined Liverpool for £123 million, making him the club’s second most expensive signing following Alexander Isak’s £125 million move from Newcastle United in 2025.
Although the price tag could bring added pressure, Van Dijk stressed the importance of creating the right environment for the winger.
“It's about creating the environment where he can express himself on the pitch,” Van Dijk added. “As a footballer, you always want to be out there, showing what you can do. For him, scoring goals is a big part of his game. To get a hat-trick in the Champions League is a great thing for him and for us.
“You can share experiences for sure. It's about helping each other to succeed. We're in it together. Bradley is getting into it now. He'll be absolutely fine.”
The three goals saw Barcola join an elite company of players who have scored a hat-trick for the Reds in the European Cup, becoming the 13th player to achieve the feat.
“I think he was a threat” – Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola on Barcola after heroics against LASK
Like Van Dijk, Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola said he hopes Barcola’s first Champions League hat-trick will provide the confidence boost the winger needs to settle into life at Anfield.
“I'm really happy for Bradley because you were asking me yesterday about him not making the numbers, also Florian [Wirtz]. I think both of them today played really, really well. I think they made a difference. Bradley apart from the hat-trick, I think he was a threat always – one-v-one, threatening in behind. Also, Flo helped us a lot to control the game, finding the pockets. I'm happy for both of them,” said Iraola.
Barcola has featured in seven games for the Reds so far this season and started the club’s last two matches.