Barcola hat-trick helps Liverpool overcome LASK 6-3 in Champions League

Andoni Iraola praised Liverpool’s attacking performance after they defeated LASK 6-3 in Austria, with Bradley Barcola scoring three times and Lewis Koumas netting his first European goal.

Liverpool established a commanding lead with four goals in the opening 51 minutes. Barcola struck twice, while Ronald Araujo and Jeremie Frimpong both scored headers.

Robert Ljubicic reduced the deficit for LASK, but Barcola completed his hat-trick soon afterwards. Koumas added Liverpool’s sixth before substitute Florian Flecker scored twice for the hosts.

Iraola was particularly impressed by Barcola and Florian Wirtz, who helped Liverpool find a way through LASK’s compact defensive shape.

“Bradley, apart from the hat-trick, was always a threat, one-v-one and threatening in behind,” Iraola said.

“Flo helped us a lot to control the game, finding the pockets. I’m happy for both of them.”

The Liverpool coach believes the performances and goals will strengthen the confidence of both players.

“I think their confidence, for sure, is very good. I think they feel that we trust them a lot,” he added. “To enjoy a little bit playing in the Champions League away, I think it’s going to be very good for them.”

Iraola also praised Liverpool’s movement against a LASK team defending with five players at the back.

“Against a very compact block, it’s not easy. They play a back five and there’s not a lot of space in between,” he said.

“I think we found very good spaces in the pockets, spaces in behind with the three players up front. Offensively, it has been a very complete game.”

Rotation gives young players opportunity

Koumas and Trey Nyoni both made their first Champions League starts as Liverpool rotated their squad, but Iraola stressed that the pair were regarded as first-team players rather than academy prospects simply being given an opportunity.

“They are first-team players because we trust them and we think they can give us the level to help during the season,” he said.

Iraola was especially pleased for Koumas, who had previously seen two efforts ruled out.

“I was really pleased for him to score a goal and celebrate with the supporters, enjoy a little bit your first Champions League goal,” he said.

He added that displays from players such as Koumas and Nyoni would help Liverpool cope with a congested schedule, while also allowing more experienced members of the squad to recover.

Liverpool’s emphatic win came despite conceding three goals. Iraola acknowledged that changing both centre-backs at the same time was not an ideal decision, but said he needed to protect players who had already accumulated significant minutes for club and country.

“When you’re winning 4-0, I have to start thinking about the next game,” Iraola said, referring to Liverpool’s forthcoming Premier League trip to Brentford.

Liverpool will then face Villarreal in the Champions League, leaving limited time between fixtures.

“We will need more than 11, more than 12, more than 13,” Iraola said.

Liverpool’s next challenge is Saturday’s meeting with Brentford, where Iraola will hope his side can maintain their attacking confidence.