Photo via BBC Sport

On night of mayhem for Liverpool, Barcola arrives in style

Liverpool’s Champions League campaign regained momentum with a commanding 6-3 victory over LASK in Linz, as Bradley Barcola silenced pre-match doubts with a career-defining performance. The 24-year-old midfielder, acquired for £123 million, scored his first hat-trick in professional football—including two goals with each foot and a tap-in—while also dictating play with his creativity and one-on-one threat.

His three goals proved decisive after Liverpool’s heavy 3-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City the previous weekend, while teammate Florian Wirtz (£116m) also contributed an assist in a dominant first half, where Liverpool fired 19 shots—an away Champions League record since 2003-04. Manager Andoni Iraola, who had defended both players amid early criticism, praised their impact, calling Barcola’s hat-trick a “very special moment” and noting how their confidence had surged after the match.

Though Liverpool conceded three late goals, the win marked a swift return to form ahead of their Premier League trip to Brentford this weekend.

Up nextFootball· 2h ago

Barcola scores hat-trick as Liverpool thrash LASK