Liverpool produced a ruthless attacking display to defeat LASK 6-3 in their UEFA Champions League league-stage encounter, with Ben Doak Barcola scoring a hat-trick in an entertaining contest.
The Reds took control in the first half, scoring three unanswered goals before adding another three after the break to establish a commanding lead, although LASK fought back with three second-half goals of their own.
Liverpool opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through R. Araújo, who finished off an opportunity created by Kostas Tsimikas to give the visitors an early advantage.
Two minutes later, Liverpool doubled their lead when B. Barcola found the net after being set up by Lewis Koumas, putting the visitors firmly in control of the contest.
Barcola struck again in the 37th minute, converting a pass from Florian Wirtz to make it 3-0 and cap an impressive first-half performance from Liverpool.
LASK went into the break facing a difficult task, having struggled to contain Liverpool’s attacking threat during the opening 45 minutes.
The visitors continued their dominance after the restart, with Jeremie Frimpong scoring in the 51st minute following another assist from Tsimikas to extend Liverpool’s lead to four goals.
LASK finally responded in the 63rd minute when R. Ljubicic pulled one back, finishing from Y. Dibango’s assist to give the home side something to celebrate.
However, Liverpool quickly restored their four-goal cushion as Barcola completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute, with Frimpong providing the assist for the forward’s third goal of the evening.
The Reds added a sixth goal in the 72nd minute through Koumas, who converted after being set up by Frimpong to make it 6-1.
Despite the heavy deficit, LASK refused to give up and mounted a late rally.
F. Flecker scored in the 74th minute from another Dibango assist before adding his second goal three minutes later to reduce the deficit to 6-3.
The home side’s late response gave the closing stages greater intensity, but Liverpool held on to secure a convincing victory after an entertaining nine-goal encounter.
The result highlighted Liverpool’s attacking firepower, with Barcola’s hat-trick and the contributions of Koumas and Frimpong proving decisive.
Although LASK showed determination with three second-half goals, their defensive weaknesses proved costly against a Liverpool side that took full advantage of its opportunities.
Full-time: LASK 3-6 Liverpool.
