Liverpool’s third-youngest starting XI in UEFA Champions League history proved too strong for LASK Linz, securing a thrilling 6-3 victory. Bradley Barcola stole the spotlight with a hat-trick, while the Austrian side extended their winless run in European competitions to 10 matches.
Match Report
Lewis Koumas has impressed with his energy in Liverpool’s attack during Alexander Isak’s absence, and he was lively from the opening stages against LASK. He chased a through ball from Jeremie Frimpong and rounded the goalkeeper, but the narrowing angle allowed the Austrian defence to clear the danger for a corner. Florian Wirtz came close shortly afterwards, weaving past defenders inside the box before nearly squeezing his shot beneath the goalkeeper.
Liverpool’s early pressure eventually paid off through Ronald Araujo, who rose above the defence to head home from a corner and score his first goal for the club since joining on loan from Barcelona.
The visitors quickly doubled their advantage. Rio Ngumoha dribbled past several defenders and appeared to have a possible penalty claim, but the loose ball fell to Koumas, who played it across to Barcola. The French forward calmly finished to register his first Liverpool goal. Koumas thought he had added a third after turning sharply and finding the corner of the net, but his effort was ruled out for a marginal offside. Ryan Gravenberch subsequently struck the inside of the post as LASK narrowly escaped further punishment.
Christoph Lang managed a rare attacking opportunity for the hosts but dragged his shot wide. Liverpool soon made it 3-0, with Barcola getting on the end of an excellent pass from Wirtz to score his second goal of the match.
LASK showed greater attacking intent after the break, with Lang continuing to cause problems and narrowly missing the target with a shot that flashed past Alisson Becker’s post. However, Liverpool quickly restored their control when Frimpong scored the first headed goal of his career, stretching the visitors’ lead even further.
Koumas was denied another goal by the offside flag before substitute Robert Ljubicic gave the Austrian side something to celebrate. He controlled the ball with his first touch of the game and fired it into the net with his second to reduce the deficit.
Liverpool remained firmly in charge, with Barcola taking centre stage once again. The 24-year-old met Frimpong’s cross and swept the ball home to complete his first professional hat-trick.
Koumas finally got his deserved goal moments later, collecting another delivery from Frimpong before squeezing a finish through the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 6-1.
LASK, however, refused to go down without a fight. Substitute Florian Flecker scored twice to reduce the margin to 6-3, surpassing his previous goal against Liverpool in 2023. His first came from a header into an unguarded net at the far post, while his second saw him control the ball before sending a well-placed finish into the corner, giving Andoni Iraola’s side further concerns during the closing stages.
Despite the late scare, Liverpool held on to secure a convincing victory and record their 26th win in their last 30 Champions League group or league-phase matches.
Meanwhile, the wait for an Austrian club to defeat an English opponent in a major European competition looks set to continue beyond 35 years.
