LASK 3-6 Liverpool player ratings: Bradley Barcola 9.6 as academy star steals the show

A brilliant attacking display, including a first Liverpool goal and hat-trick from Bradley Barcola, saw Liverpool take all three points from their second Champions League outing.  

The Reds were flying in a dominant opening 45 minutes, taking a commanding 3-0 lead into the break courtesy of a towering header from Ronald Araújo and a quickfire double from Bradley Barcola.

Andoni Iraola’s side picked up right where they left off after the restart when Jeremie Frimpong nodded home to make it 4-0 in quick time.

However, the contest quickly turned into a chaotic, end-to-end affair. LASK pulled one back through Robert Ljubicic before Barcola completed his historic hat-trick and youngster Lewis Koumas notched his first Champions League goal, capping off a rampant six-goal blitz from the visitors.

Yet, late defensive sloppiness allowed Florian Flecker to net a quickfire double for the hosts, rounding off a wild nine-goal thriller in Linz.

Here are our player ratings following the victory away at LASK. 

Alisson Becker – 5.9 

Liverpool’s number 1 had a quiet opening half but was stunned with three strikes that found the net in the second. The Brazilian could only make save in the match and potentially should’ve done more to prevent the three goals. 

Jeremie Frimpong – 8.6 

A real Jekyll-and-Hyde performance from Liverpool’s rotated pair of full-backs this evening. Frimpong managed three goal contributions in the space of 21 minutes, but is yet to find balance in that overlapping right-back position. He was involved in each of the three goals the Reds conceded, and LASK’s Yvan Dibango had a field day providing three assists on Frimpong’s flank. 

Ronald Araujo – 7.8 

Found the opener to score his first goal in a Liverpool shirt. Great distribution and defensive composure, keeping a clean sheet before being substituted in the 62nd minute. 

Jeremy Jacquet – 7.0 

The Frenchman also kept a clean sheet before being substituted at the same time as his Uruguayan centre-back partner. Also composed on the ball but looked slow rather than patient and was beaten a few times on the counter. 

Kostas Tsimikas – 8.3 

A similarly unbalanced night to Frimpong in that the Greek scouser contributed on the attack but left a lot to be desired from a defensive standpoint. The left-back managed two assists from his reliable crossing and corners, but left far too much space open for the home side’s second and third goals.  

Ryan Gravenberch – 7.0 

The Dutchman looked composed in midfield and made the most of the defensive stability Trey Nyoni provided alongside him, getting forward and hitting the post on one occasion. Took up positions in wide areas too and looked to be relishing the box-to-box role.  

Trey Nyoni - 7.2 

Another reliable performance from 19-year-old Trey Nyoni.  Controlled the tempo of the game with progressive passing and never looked to rush his distribution.  

Bradley Barcola – 9.6 

First, second and third goals in Red for Bradley Barcola, becoming the first player to score a hattrick in the Champions League since Luis Diaz in 2024. A first career hattrick for the Frenchman and hopefully more to come from the Frenchman this weekend. 

Florian Wirtz – 7.4 

Great first half performance from the German playmaker, assisting Barcola’s second goal of the night. Looked far more confident and willing to run at defenders as well as take shots on goal, but presence in the game waned in the second half.  

Rio Ngumoha – 8.0

Energetic display from the 18-year-old, always looking to press on and charge at however many defenders are in front of him. Beat several of the home defenders before running the ball into the box for Liverpool's second of the night. 

Lewis Koumas – 8.0 

The Welshman becomes the second player aged 21 or younger to both score and assist a goal in a Champions League match for Liverpool, only after Steven Gerrard. Upped the tempo of the game with his usual high-energy pressure and deserved his goal on the night. 

Substitutes 

Virgil Van Dijk – 5.7 (62’) 

Conceded three after coming on and never got into the flow of the game. 

Joe Gomez – 5.7 (62’) 

Again, found it difficult to get into the game and ghosted for the home side’s goals. 

Victor Munoz – 6.6 (73’) 

Not a huge impact on the game but provided a burst of energy when Liverpool needed to regain control.  

Alexis Mac Allister – N/A (85’) 

Luke Chambers – N/A (85’) 

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