Bradley Barcola delivered a hat-trick as Liverpool swept past LASK Linz 6–3 in a breathless UEFA Champions League league-phase fixture at the Raiffeisen Arena on Wednesday, October 14. The visitors’ attacking quality proved decisive, although a late response from the Austrian side took some shine off an otherwise commanding victory.
Barcola struck in the 24th, 37th and 66th minutes, joining Ronald Araújo, Jeremie Frimpong and Lewis Koumas on Liverpool’s list of goalscorers. LASK refused to disappear quietly, with Robert Ljubicic finding the net before Florian Flecker struck twice in three minutes.
Liverpool seize control before the interval
Araújo opened the scoring with a header in the 22nd minute, and Liverpool wasted little time building on that breakthrough. Barcola made it 2–0 in the 24th minute, turning a narrow advantage into a much more imposing one within two minutes.
The forward added his second in the 37th minute to send Liverpool into half-time three goals clear. It was a first-half platform that left LASK facing an enormous task and put the visitors firmly on course for another league-phase victory.
Barcola completes his treble
Frimpong extended Liverpool’s lead with a header in the 51st minute, making it 4–0 and seemingly removing any lingering uncertainty over the outcome.
Substitute Ljubicic pulled a goal back for LASK in the 63rd minute, but Liverpool’s response was swift. Barcola completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute, restoring the four-goal cushion and confirming his status as the evening’s standout performer.
Koumas then added Liverpool’s sixth in the 72nd minute. At 6–1, the visitors had turned their superiority into an emphatic advantage, but the scoring was not finished.
Flecker gives LASK a late lift
Flecker made an impact from the bench, heading home in the 74th minute before adding a volley in the 77th. His quick-fire double brought the final margin back to three goals and ensured LASK’s second-half resistance received a tangible reward.
Those late concessions will give Liverpool something to examine, even on a night when their attack was so productive. The second half finished level at three goals apiece, but Liverpool’s commanding first-half advantage meant the three points were never seriously threatened.
Attacking dominance delivers three points
The wider numbers underlined Liverpool’s control: 64.2% possession, 26 attempts to LASK’s 12, and nine shots on target against four. They also won 11 corners to the hosts’ three.
Liverpool now have two wins from two league-phase fixtures, while LASK remain without a point after two defeats. For the visitors, this was a statement of attacking firepower rather than defensive perfection—and Barcola’s clinical treble was its defining contribution.
