Bradley Barcola must deliver against Brentford after Liverpool’s LASK rout, says Stephen Warnock

Bradley Barcola must prove he can reproduce his impressive Champions League performance when Liverpool face Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday, former Reds defender Stephen Warnock has warned.

Barcola was among the standout performers as Andoni Iraola’s side swept aside Austrian champions LASK, but Warnock believes the forward’s display must be assessed in the context of the opposition’s limited resistance.

Liverpool dominated the encounter from the outset, registering 19 shots before half-time, the most recorded by any team in the first half of a Champions League away match since 2003-04.

The emphatic performance offered Barcola valuable minutes as he looks to find his best form, but Warnock insists the trip to Brentford will provide a more meaningful assessment of his ability to deliver in demanding away fixtures.

“The acid test will be this next fixture,” Warnock said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Warnock questions quality of opposition

Liverpool’s attacking dominance against LASK left little doubt about the difference between the sides, with Iraola’s men creating numerous opportunities before the interval.

However, their performance dipped after the break as they conceded three goals after the hour mark, despite having effectively settled the contest in the first half.

Warnock believes the lack of pressure from LASK made it difficult to draw firm conclusions about Liverpool’s attacking improvements.

“It is very difficult to assess because the game was very passive for large periods,” he said.

“There were parts when I was watching Trey Nyoni in midfield and he had no pressure on him at all and was just picking passes off.”

The former Liverpool defender also highlighted the space Barcola enjoyed against his marker, who was substituted at half-time.

“Barcola had got the run of his full-back, who was taken off at half-time, so I think that tells you everything.”

He added: “I don’t read too much into it because I expected Liverpool to go there and win, and win comfortably.”

Brentford clash offers tougher examination

Liverpool will face a significantly different challenge against Brentford, who have made an unbeaten start to the Premier League season and sit fourth in the standings.

The Bees are expected to offer greater resistance, making the fixture an important opportunity for Barcola to demonstrate that he can influence matches when space and time are harder to find.

Warnock believes Liverpool signed the forward to deliver in precisely these situations, rather than simply excel against opponents who struggle to contain their attacking play.

“Can Barcola do that again away at Brentford? That’s what they have essentially bought him for – to play in big games away from home.”

The former defender also acknowledged that Barcola has not played regularly this season, suggesting the LASK encounter was important for his match fitness and sharpness.

“He hasn’t played much football this season, so this game was about getting minutes in his legs, getting him fit and sharper.”

Liverpool take positives from emphatic win

Despite the reservations over the quality of the opposition, Liverpool had several encouraging performances to take from the Champions League encounter.

Jeremie Frimpong scored and provided two assists, while Kostas Tsimikas also registered two assists as both full-backs impressed after coming into the starting line-up.

Ronald Araujo scored his first goal for the club, while Lewis Koumas capped an encouraging performance with a second-half strike.

Koumas also had two goals ruled out for offside, but his assist for Barcola in the first half made him Liverpool’s youngest player to score and assist in a Champions League match, at 21 years and 25 days, surpassing Steven Gerrard’s previous record.

Liverpool’s attacking display demonstrated their capacity to overwhelm opponents, although the goals conceded after half-time highlighted areas for improvement.