Liverpool’s Champions League campaign received a bright spark on Tuesday night when 24‑year‑old Bradley Barcola netted a hat‑trick in a 6‑3 victory over Austrian champions LASK. The win snapped a three‑match losing streak that had included a 3‑0 defeat to Manchester City, and it marked Barcola’s first hat‑trick across all competitions for the club. The 24‑year‑old, who joined Liverpool for a club‑record £123 million, scored twice with his right foot, once with his left, and finished with a tap‑in after the break. His performance was the headline of a match that saw Liverpool dominate from the start, with 19 shots on target by half‑time – the most by any team in a Champions League away first half since 2003‑04.
Manager Andoni Iraola, who had been questioned about the early struggles of both Barcola and fellow German international Florian Wirtz, defended the duo before the game and praised their contributions afterward. “I’m really happy for Bradley,” he said, noting that both players had “played really, really well” and had made a difference. Iraola highlighted Barcola’s threat in one‑on‑one situations and his ability to find pockets of space, adding that the confidence boost from the performance would be beneficial for the player’s future. He also acknowledged Wirtz’s fine display in the earlier match against LASK, which included an assist, and expressed optimism that the young duo would continue to grow.
The match itself was a showcase of Liverpool’s attacking prowess. In addition to Barcola’s three goals, Jeremie Frimpong and Ronald Araujo each found the net, while Lewis Koumas added a second‑half strike. Full‑backs Frimpong and Kostas Tsimikas contributed with assists, and the team’s defensive solidity was evident as they held LASK to just three goals despite the Austrian side’s late surge. The win also saw the youngest player to score and assist in a Champions League match for Liverpool, with 21‑year‑old Lewis Koumas becoming the club’s youngest in that combined role, surpassing Steven Gerrard’s record from 2001.
Looking ahead, Liverpool will face a tougher test on Saturday at Brentford, who sit fourth in the Premier League and are unbeaten in the competition. Stephen Warnock, speaking after the LASK game, noted that while Liverpool were expected to win comfortably, the true challenge will come from the Bees. “Can Barcola do that again, away at Brentford?” he asked, emphasizing that the player’s experience in high‑pressure away matches will be put to the test. With the Champions League group stage still in play, Liverpool will aim to build on the momentum from the LASK win and secure a place in the knockout rounds while also preparing for the demanding Premier League fixture against Brentford.