Barcola hat-trick leads Liverpool to dominant Champions League victory over LASK

Bradley Barcola ended his six-game wait for a Liverpool goal by scoring three times in a 6-3 Champions League win over LASK in Austria.

The £123m arrival from Paris Saint-Germain had failed to score or provide an assist in his previous six appearances, drawing scrutiny during Liverpool’s inconsistent start to the season. But the France winger responded decisively as Andoni Iraola’s side controlled the match in Linz, despite conceding three late goals.

Liverpool had lost for the first time this season against Manchester City on Sunday but quickly moved on from that setback. They overwhelmed the Austrian champions from the start, registering 19 shots in the opening 45 minutes.

Ronald Araujo, the defender on loan from Barcelona, broke the deadlock midway through the first half. He rose above his marker to head in a corner from Kostas Tsimikas.

Barcola added a second less than two minutes later, finishing from close range after Rio Ngumoha’s powerful run was kept alive by Lewis Koumas.

The winger scored again before half-time. Florian Wirtz found him with a precise pass into the penalty area and Barcola calmly completed the move to put Liverpool firmly in control.

The visitors might have had an even bigger lead at the interval. Ryan Gravenberch struck the inside of the post, while Koumas had a goal disallowed for offside.

Liverpool continued their relentless attacking after the restart, with Jeremie Frimpong heading in another fine Tsimikas delivery to make it 4-0.

LASK briefly threatened to change the momentum when substitute Robert Ljubicic pulled a goal back, but Barcola completed his hat-trick soon afterwards. Frimpong sent a low ball across the face of goal and Barcola applied a simple finish at the far post.

Koumas then claimed a deserved goal on his first Champions League start. The 21-year-old converted from close range after Frimpong supplied the assist, having earlier seen two efforts ruled out for offside.

LASK improved the scoreline late on through Florian Flecker, who scored twice in quick succession. Those goals, however, could not disguise Liverpool’s superiority for much of the contest.

Liverpool’s next fixture is a Premier League trip to Brentford on Saturday. They then return to Anfield to play Villarreal next Tuesday.