Bradley Barcola ended his wait for a Liverpool goal in spectacular fashion, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-3 Champions League win at LASK. The result in Linz was a powerful response to Sunday's Premier League defeat to Manchester City, with Ronald Araujo, Jeremie Frimpong and Lewis Koumas also on the scoresheet.

Andoni Iraola, the Liverpool manager, had defended his big-money signings before the match and saw his faith repaid. Barcola, a £123 million arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, opened his account for the club with two first-half finishes before completing his treble after the break. "I'm really happy for Bradley," Iraola said. "You were asking me yesterday about him not making the numbers and I think he played really, really well. He made a difference."

Record-breaking first half

Liverpool's dominance was overwhelming from the start. They set a Champions League record for an away side by registering 19 shots in the first half alone, a statistic not seen since the 2003-04 season. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Ronald Araujo powered in a header from a Kostas Tsimikas corner for his first Liverpool goal. Barcola doubled the lead just 96 seconds later, sweeping home a cut-back from Lewis Koumas.

The French winger added his second in the 37th minute, finishing coolly after being found by fellow summer signing Florian Wirtz. Iraola had rested Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister, but his rotated side continued to press. Jeremie Frimpong headed in a fourth shortly after half-time before LASK substitute Robert Ljubicic pulled one back.

Koumas makes history

Barcola sealed his hat-trick in the 66th minute, tapping in a low cross from Frimpong. Lewis Koumas then got a deserved goal, converting from close range to become, at 21 years and 25 days, the youngest Liverpool player to both score and assist in a Champions League match. The previous record was held by Steven Gerrard. LASK scored two late consolations through Florian Flecker, but the night belonged to Liverpool's attack.

Iraola praised the impact on his players' confidence. "I think for their confidence it's very good," he said. "They feel now that we trust them a lot." The manager also highlighted Barcola's sharpness in training ahead of the game. Liverpool now turn their focus back to the Premier League and a trip to face Brentford on Saturday.

Read the full report at bbc.co.uk