Andoni Iraola needed a response from his Liverpool players.
After Sunday’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, the Reds had to quickly return to winning ways. Admittedly, Ryan Gravenberch’s second-half red card extinguished hopes of a result against the Premier League leaders.
Even so, Liverpool struggled to build upon their early dominance against City. Iraola’s side pressed aggressively, and Enzo Maresca’s side struggled. Once City gained a foothold in the game, however, it was one-way traffic culminating in a disappointing home loss.
A trip to LASK, though, wasn’t to be treated as a walk in the park for the Premier League powerhouse. The Austrian side won their second ever league title last season. Dietmar Kuhbauer’s side were hoping to provide a stern test.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Ultimately, a quickfire first-half double swung the tie in Liverpool’s favour. Ronald Araujo scored his first Liverpool goal in the 22nd minute as the Uruguayan headed Kostas Tsimikas’ corner past Lukas Jungwirth.
Two minutes later, and Bradley Barcola doubled Liverpool’s advantage following some fancy footwork from Lewis Koumas. The Welshman teed up the big-money summer signing, who made no mistake inside the box.
On the half hour mark, Lewis Koumas had the ball in the back of the net, but was flagged offside. And with a little under 10 minutes of the half to go, Barcola had his second and Liverpool’s third. The French winger finished with aplomb having been played in by Florian Wirtz as the Merseyside outfit ran riot in the first half.
Wirtz forced Jungwirth into a smart low stop shortly before the break as Liverpool maintained their onslaught.
Five minutes after the restart, and Tsimikas turned provider once more. The Greek left-back put in a teasing cross to the back post, which found Jeremie Frimpong, who duly headed past Jungwirth. Koumas again saw a goal chalked off for offside as Liverpool continued to batter LASK.
On the hour mark, and the Austrian champions pulled one back. Robert Ljubicic had been on the pitch for a matter of seconds before rifling past Alisson from close range. However, Barcola seemingly extinguished any hopes of a comeback with his third and Liverpool’s fifth midway through the second half, tucking a low Frimpong cross into the back of the net from close range.
And it was third time’s the charm for Koumas, who wasn’t to be denied his first ever Champions League goal with 20 minutes to play. The young striker fired through the legs of Jungwirth after he was picked out by Frimpong. LASK weren’t going to take defeat lying down, as Florian Flecker cut the deficit to four goals
The half-time sub added his second and LASK’s third with a well-taken strike as Yvan Dibango provided his third assist of the game with a fine low cross. However, the hosts were unable to build upon Flecker’s second goal, though, as Liverpool returned to England with a 6-3 win under the belts.
Barcola gets off the mark
Bradley Barcola hasn’t been at his best since is big-money arrival from Paris Saint-Germain. The France international has had plenty of chances to prove his worth in a Liverpool shirt, but has failed to live up to expectations.
Following another subdued showing in Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City, Barcola finally delivered a match-winning performance. Granted, LASK are hardly the most dominant side in world football. Conversely, you can only beat what is put in front of you.
The 24-year-old bagged his first, second and third goals in a Liverpool shirt, getting the better of Jungwirth with three of five shots. Barcola completed five take ons in Austria, while in the process created two chances. It was the sort of showing fans have come to expect, and many are hoping is the first of many.
More like it from Wirtz
Barcola wasn’t the only underperforming star in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Florian Wirtz has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks. The German struggled in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth prior to the international break.
He was relatively anonymous against City at the weekend. Yet with willing runners in the form of Barcola and Rio Ngumoha on the left and right, respectively, Wirtz thrived. The 23-year-old provided the assist for Barcola’s second shortly before the break. That came from one of three chances created.
Wirtz also managed six shots, two tackles and completed two take ons. Only Ngumoha (8) won more ground duels (5). The widemen were key to Wirtz’s notable showing. He played seven passes to Ngumoha and five to Barcola prior to the latter’s withdrawal. Having the speedy outlets down the flanks maximises the Germany’ international’s distribution. Tonight was more like it from the former Bayer Leverkusen man.
Koumas taking his chance
In the absence of both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, Andoni Iraola turned to Lewis Koumas to lead the charge against City on Sunday. While the Welshman struggled to impose himself in the eventual 3-0 loss, Koumas showed glimpses of his potential.
And in Austria, Koumas led a much-changed Liverpool to all the spoils. The 21-year-old struck his first European goal in the 72nd minute, but could have had a hat-trick having seen two goals ruled out prior to his late hit.
It’s a huge boost for Iraola. With the games coming thick and fast, the Reds boss needs his options in every area of the pitch. Koumas may not be the finished article, yet his showings on Wednesday night was cause for optimism with Isak and Gakpo’s respective availability for the trip to Brentford still to be determined.