Barcola hits hat-trick in goal-filled encounter with LASK

Barcola made his mark in a goal-filled encounter with LASK, scoring a hat-trick in his first major night with Liverpool. Koumas also found the net, scoring his first goal for the club’s first team. Ljubicic scored for LASK.

The match began with a heavily rotated starting eleven, while Víctor Muñoz and Virgil Van Dijk started on the bench. Liverpool opened the scoring when Araujo headed in Tsimikas’s cross. Two minutes later, Barcola doubled the lead from a pass by Koumas. Liverpool’s first two goals therefore came within two minutes: Araujo with a header, followed by Barcola’s right-footed finish.

The French winger then scored his second with an excellent left-footed strike. Ljubicic pulled one back for LASK, but Barcola soon completed his hat-trick. Koumas also claimed his first goal for Liverpool’s first team. LASK tried to change the course of the match at the break, bringing on Flecker for Jorgensen.