Bradley Barcola scored three goals as Liverpool beat LASK 6-3 in the Champions League on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, Austria, according to AFP and dpa International. USA Today Sports reported that the treble was the first set of goals of Barcola’s Liverpool career, which began with a summer move from Paris Saint-Germain.
The result came after a difficult stretch for the club, and AFP reported that several regulars, including the club captain and two defenders, sat out the trip to Austria. The manager had expressed full confidence in both Barcola and Wirtz before the match, EPL Index reported. Liverpool lost 3-0 at home to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, and Barcola and Florian Wirtz had faced criticism for their early performances. AFP reported that the Sunday defeat was manager Andoni Iraola’s first in eight matches in charge.
Ronald Araujo headed Liverpool in front in the 22nd minute from a corner kick by Kostas Tsimikas. Barcola made it 2-0 in the 24th minute, and Wirtz set up his second goal in the 37th, USA Today Sports and AFP reported. Jeremie Frimpong headed in the fourth goal in the 51st minute, his first Champions League goal, dpa reported. Barcola completed his hat trick in the 66th minute after a low cross from Frimpong, and Lewis Koumas scored in the 72nd, AFP said.
Late goals expose defensive gaps
Robert Ljubicic scored for LASK in the 63rd minute, less than a minute after coming on, dpa reported. Substitute Florian Flecker then scored in the 74th and 77th minutes, pulling the hosts within three goals of a team that had led 6-1.
EPL Index reported that Liverpool’s attacking players found space and created chances, but that the team struggled to protect a large lead. The report said LASK repeatedly attacked the space left behind Frimpong, who produced a goal and an assist. Iraola’s high-pressing approach depends on full-backs who push forward, and that approach left gaps when possession changed hands, the report said.
Fee figures differ and a busy stretch lies ahead
The reports differ on the cost of Barcola’s transfer. AFP put the fee at 123 million pounds, or $161 million, while USA Today Sports described it as worth around $150 million. EPL Index also cited 123 million pounds.
Liverpool now have six points from two Champions League matches, the same as Barcelona, Arsenal and Sporting, dpa reported. The club is missing Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai through injury, AFP said. Liverpool’s next match is a Premier League trip to Brentford on Saturday, EPL Index reported.
It is not yet clear whether Barcola and Wirtz can sustain their form against stronger opponents, or whether Liverpool can tighten its defense while keeping its attacking approach.
