Liverpool produced an entertaining attacking display to defeat Austrian champions LASK 6-3 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, as Bradley Barcola scored his first career hat-trick in a match that featured nine goals, disallowed efforts and a surprising second-half defensive collapse.
The victory gave Liverpool their second win from two matches in the Champions League league phase, providing a positive response following their disappointing Premier League defeat to Manchester City.
Barcola was the outstanding performer, scoring three times, while Ronald Araújo, Jeremie Frimpong and Lewis Koumas also found the net for the visitors. Robert Ljubicic and Florian Flecker, who scored twice, replied for LASK, but the Austrian side could not recover from Liverpool’s commanding first-half performance.
Liverpool initially faced resistance from the hosts, who threatened through counter-attacks and set-piece situations. However, the visitors gradually took control, with Florian Wirtz and Barcola combining effectively to trouble the LASK defence.
Liverpool had an early opportunity when Koumas broke through the defensive line in the sixth minute, rounded the advancing goalkeeper Lukas Jungwirth and attempted to finish from an increasingly difficult angle. LASK defender Xavier Mbuyamba recovered quickly to intercept the ball and prevent an early breakthrough.
The hosts responded in the seventh minute when Kasper Jorgensen collected the ball after Liverpool failed to clear a corner properly. The LASK wing-back unleashed a powerful effort from the edge of the area, but his shot sailed just over the crossbar.
Wirtz then came close to opening the scoring in the 11th minute after cutting inside from the left and moving between two defenders. The German midfielder fired towards the near post, but Jungwirth reacted well to prevent the ball from slipping underneath him.
Liverpool continued to apply pressure, and Araújo nearly scored from a corner in the 17th minute. The Uruguayan defender rose above the defence but could not direct his header on target.
His next opportunity proved decisive.
Liverpool broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Araújo rose powerfully to meet a Kostas Tsimikas corner and directed a commanding header past Jungwirth. The set-piece delivery found the defender in a dangerous position, and he made no mistake with his finish to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Two minutes later, Liverpool doubled their advantage through Barcola.
The goal followed excellent work from teenage winger Rio Ngumoha, who troubled LASK captain Andrés Andrade with a series of feints and changes of direction near the byline. Ngumoha went to ground during the move, but Liverpool continued their attack as Koumas collected the loose ball, turned away from his marker and laid it into Barcola’s path.
The French forward finished calmly from near the penalty spot, placing the ball into the corner to make it 2-0 in the 24th minute.
The strike marked Barcola’s first goal for Liverpool and immediately rewarded the confidence shown in him by manager Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool thought they had scored a third goal in the 31st minute when Koumas collected a through ball, outmuscled Andrés Andrade, rounded Jungwirth and finished into the net.
However, the goal was ruled out for offside after a review of the move showed that the Welsh forward had strayed beyond the defensive line when the pass was played.
Liverpool were denied again by the woodwork in the 33rd minute. Wirtz released Ryan Gravenberch following an excellent attacking move, but the Dutch midfielder’s left-footed effort from an acute angle struck the base of the far post. The rebound failed to fall kindly for a Liverpool player, allowing LASK to escape further punishment.
The visitors eventually extended their lead in the 37th minute through Barcola, who completed a flowing attacking move with a composed finish.
Wirtz supplied a precise through ball that split the LASK defence and allowed Barcola to advance into the penalty area. After taking a controlled first touch past Alemão, the Frenchman fired low into the far corner to make it 3-0.
The goal capped an impressive first-half performance from Liverpool, who entered the break with a three-goal advantage after controlling possession and creating several clear opportunities.
LASK returned for the second half looking to reduce the deficit, but Liverpool struck again almost immediately.
Frimpong made it 4-0 in the 51st minute with an outstanding header. Tsimikas made an overlapping run beyond Barcola and reached the byline before delivering a cross towards the far post.
Frimpong timed his movement perfectly, rose above the defenders and directed a powerful downward header from approximately eight yards. The ball struck the post before crossing the line, leaving Jungwirth unable to prevent Liverpool from extending their advantage.
Koumas appeared to have another opportunity to score in the 54th minute when Wirtz played an incisive pass through the LASK defence. The young forward collected the ball in stride and curled a shot beyond Jungwirth, but the assistant referee’s offside decision was upheld, denying Liverpool a fifth goal.
Despite Liverpool’s dominance, LASK continued to search for a response. Danek tested Alisson Becker in the 61st minute with a well-directed effort towards the near post, forcing the Brazilian goalkeeper to produce an excellent save.
Liverpool subsequently made defensive substitutions, with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez replacing the centre-back pairing of Araújo and Jeremy Jacquet. The changes appeared to unsettle the visitors’ defensive organisation, and LASK capitalised on the opportunity.
Robert Ljubicic pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 63rd minute, scoring almost immediately after coming off the bench.
Yvan Dibango delivered a pass across the penalty area, where Ljubicic collected the ball near the six-yard box, took a touch and turned before beating Alisson at the near post.
The goal reduced the deficit to 4-1 and offered the home supporters something to celebrate after a difficult evening.
Liverpool responded three minutes later as Barcola completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute.
Ngumoha produced another incisive pass, threading the ball inside the LASK full-back for Frimpong to collect. The Dutch defender advanced into the penalty area before cutting the ball back across goal, allowing Barcola to arrive at the far post and tap into an unguarded net.
The finish completed Barcola’s first career hat-trick and restored Liverpool’s five-goal advantage, making the score 5-1.
The Frenchman’s performance represented a major turnaround after a difficult start to his Liverpool career, having failed to register a goal or an assist in his first six appearances for the club.
Koumas finally got his name on the scoresheet in the 72nd minute after twice seeing earlier efforts disallowed for offside.
Frimpong again provided the decisive contribution from the right, driving forward before delivering a low cross into the penalty area. Koumas met the delivery and released an early finish that wrong-footed Jungwirth, making it 6-1 to Liverpool.
The goal appeared to put the contest beyond doubt, but LASK refused to surrender.
Florian Flecker reduced the deficit in the 74th minute after Dibango exploited space behind Frimpong and delivered a cross towards the far post. Flecker timed his run well and met the delivery with a diving header that beat Alisson, bringing the score to 6-2.
Three minutes later, Flecker struck again to make it 6-3.
Dibango once more found space on the left and delivered a cross into the penalty area. Flecker connected with a first-time finish, directing the ball across goal and into the corner beyond Alisson’s reach.
The two quick goals exposed Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses and gave LASK’s supporters renewed hope of an unlikely comeback.
Liverpool nevertheless managed the closing stages without conceding again. LASK continued to push forward, and Andrade sent a dangerous cross-shot across the six-yard box in the 83rd minute, but Flecker could not reach the delivery to complete his hat-trick.
The match eventually ended 6-3, giving Liverpool all three points despite their defensive difficulties in the second half.
Barcola’s hat-trick was the defining feature of the contest, while Ngumoha, Frimpong, Wirtz and Koumas all contributed to Liverpool’s attacking threat. Frimpong’s goal and assists highlighted his effectiveness going forward, although LASK repeatedly exploited the space behind him after the break.
Liverpool’s six goals also made the victory their highest-scoring European match since their memorable 2001 UEFA Cup final against Alavés.
The result leaves Liverpool with two victories from their opening two Champions League league-phase matches, strengthening their early position in the competition.
However, the three goals conceded will give Iraola plenty to examine, particularly after his side appeared to lose defensive control following the second-half substitutions.
For LASK, the late response demonstrated their ability to exploit defensive lapses, but their slow start and inability to contain Liverpool’s attacking players ultimately proved costly.
Liverpool will now turn their attention to domestic action against Brentford before hosting Villarreal in their next Champions League fixture.
After an evening filled with goals, individual brilliance and defensive uncertainty, Liverpool left Austria with the victory they wanted, while Barcola departed with a memorable hat-trick and a performance that could prove important for his confidence during the remainder of the season.
