Liverpool blew LASK away in the Champions League with a first-half onslaught as Andoni Iraola’s side gained much-needed confidence in their frontline
Bradley Barcola
Bradley Barcola netted a Liverpool hat-trick(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
Bradley Barcola made his mark with a hat-trick for Liverpool as the £123million winger was on the scoresheet for the first time in his Anfield career in an Austrian goal fest.
The Frenchman netted twice in the first half as Andoni Iraola’s side blew Austrian minnows LASK Linz away 6-3, having led 3-0 at half-time. Ronald Araujo opened the scoring with his maiden Reds goal from a corner before Barcola netted a brace at the end of the first 45. Barcola added his third after the break as Jeremie Frimpong and Lewis Koumas also found the back of the net.
It was also a confidence boosting game for Florian Wirtz who linked up well with Barcola. On a night where Alexander Isak, Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo were missing through injury, and Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister were rested, Wirtz and Barcola made their mark alongside youngsters Rio Ngumoha and Koumas.
Liverpool players celebrate
Liverpool ran riot over the Austrian champions(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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While LASK are probably going to be the worst team Liverpool all season, unless they are drawn against a club outside the top-flight in either the Carabao Cup or FA Cup, there was no guarantee that Liverpool would have such an easy night, especially after the comprehensive way they were brushed aside by Manchester City in the 3-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.
The Raiffeisen Arena was bouncing but the ultras couldn’t encourage their players on to anything remotely shaping an upset.
It took 22 minutes for Araujo to head in the opener before the game was virtually killed there and then two minutes later when Barcola slotted home.
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola enjoyed an easy night in Linz(Image: AP Photo/Denes Erdos)
The 24-year-old then produced a great touch and finish to add a third in the 37th minute, getting some crucial confidence and sharpness under his belt having missed pre-season with PSG.
Iraola didn’t make any moves to his bench at the break as the youngsters lay in wait to see Liverpool add a fourth five minutes into the second half.
If LASK’s rubbish quality wasn’t already summed up by Wirtz enjoying his night, then captain Kostas Tsimikas clipped a looped cross into the back post for 5ft 7 Frimpong to beat his man and score a header, certainly did.
Liverpool's clean sheet was ruined when Robert Ljubicic scored with his first touch shortly after the hour mark, leaving Alisson furious and Van Dijk deflated having failed to block the shot just minutes after coming on.
Ronald Araujo
Ronald Araujo headed in his first Liverpool goal(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
But the Reds' four-goal cushion was reinstated just minutes later as Barcola tapped the ball into the open net from three yards to finish Frimpong's low cross. Barcola showed he can take on part of the goalscoring void out wide that Mohamed Salah's exit left, with his speed and runs into the box electric.
Five soon turned into six when Koumas finally got his goal after seeing two earlier strikes ruled out for offside as he swept Frimpong's cross through the legs of Lukas Jungwirth.
Even with them comfortably beaten, LASK scored a second as Florian Flecker headed in from close range after Frimpong was found napping and allowed Yvan Dibango to ghost inside him and into the box. Frimpong was then danced past again as Dibango added his third assist of the goal, finding Flecker unmarked again with a ball in the box.
Since Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet were replaced on the hour mark, Liverpool defence lost all control with Tsimikas and Frimpong found wanting and Van Dijk and Joe Gomez not being able to manage the game or show any sign of composure.
Liverpool are now two wins from two in the Champions League and will fancy making it three when they host Villarreal next Tuesday after heading to Brentford on Saturday.