Barcola Hat-Trick Leads Liverpool Past LASK in 6-3 Thriller

Liverpool survived a chaotic second half to beat LASK 6-3 at the Raiffeisen Arena, keeping their winning start intact despite conceding three times after the break.

Bradley Barcola struck a hat-trick as Liverpool built a 3-0 interval lead, then continued to score freely in an increasingly open contest. Ronald Araujo, Jeremie Frimpong and Lewis Koumas also found the net for Andoni Iraola’s side.

Quick facts

Result: LASK 3-6 Liverpool
Barcola scored in the 24th, 37th and 66th minutes.
Araujo headed Liverpool ahead from Kostas Tsimikas’ corner in the 22nd minute.
Frimpong scored in the 51st minute and supplied two assists.
Koumas set up Barcola’s first goal before scoring himself in the 72nd minute.
Liverpool registered 25 shots, 62% possession and 3.37 expected goals.

Araujo opened the scoring with a header after 22 minutes, with captain Tsimikas delivering the set-piece. Liverpool doubled their advantage two minutes later when Koumas created the chance for Barcola.

Florian Wirtz supplied Barcola’s second before half-time as Liverpool repeatedly found room between LASK’s midfield and defence. Rio Ngumoha helped keep the home wing-backs pinned back during Liverpool’s dominant first-hour spell, although he did not register a direct goal contribution.

Frimpong drove forward from the right to add Liverpool’s fourth in the 51st minute. The defender then assisted Barcola’s third on 66 minutes and set up Koumas six minutes later.

That attacking output came with a warning. LASK produced three goals in the final half-hour as the match became stretched, exposing Liverpool’s defensive shape after the visitors made changes.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were both introduced in the 62nd minute but could not stem LASK’s direct attacks. Jeremy Jacquet, replaced at the same point after a generally sound opening, had helped Liverpool control the earlier stages alongside Araujo.

Alisson Becker made only one save, despite LASK putting four efforts on target. The Brazilian had little protection during the late surge and Liverpool will be concerned by the ease with which the hosts converted their chances.

In midfield, Trey Nyoni completed 85 minutes while screening the back line and moving possession on efficiently, though LASK occasionally played through him after the interval. Ryan Gravenberch carried the ball through midfield effectively, while Wirtz dictated much of Liverpool’s creative play.

Victor Munoz came on in the 73rd minute to add fresh energy, while Alexis Mac Allister and Luke Chambers entered in the 85th as Liverpool closed out the result.

Iraola’s attacking plan delivered six goals and sustained pressure, but the late defensive disorder prevented a straightforward away win. Liverpool now move on with three points, while needing a sharper response when games open up after substitutions.