Liverpool fielded their third-youngest starting lineup in UEFA Champions League history, cruising to an emphatic 6-3 victory over LASK Linz and extending the Austrian side’s winless European run to 10 matches.
Liverpool controlled the early proceedings, pressing high and creating immediate chances. Lewis Koumas rounded the keeper after running onto a Jeremie Frimpong pass, though the angle narrowed before he could finish. Florian Wirtz then nearly squeezed a shot through after weaving past defenders. The opening goal arrived shortly after when Ronald Araujo rose highest from a corner, heading home his first goal for the club since joining on loan from Barcelona.
The visitors quickly doubled their lead. Rio Ngumoha drove through the defense, and after the ball broke to Koumas, he set up Bradley Barcola to sweep home his first goal for the club. Koumas had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside before Ryan Gravenberch struck the post. LASK managed a rare effort wide through Christoph Lang, but Liverpool made it 3-0 before halftime as Barcola latched onto a defense-splitting pass from Wirtz to grab his second.
LASK showed more intent after the break, with Lang again flashing an effort wide of Alisson Becker’s post. However, Liverpool extinguished any brief hope when Frimpong scored the first header of his career to make it 4-0. Koumas was denied by the offside flag for a second time before substitute Robert Ljubicic pulled one back for the hosts with a quick two-touch finish.
Liverpool hit back as Barcola converted Frimpong’s cross to complete his first professional hat-trick. Koumas finally got his goal, collecting another delivery from Frimpong and finishing through the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 6-1. LASK substitute Florian Flecker provided a late twist by scoring twice—first heading into an empty net at the far post, then placing a precise strike into the corner to reduce the deficit to 6-3 and frustrate manager Andoni Iraola.
Despite LASK’s late rally, Liverpool held firm to record their 26th victory in their last 30 Champions League group/league phase matches, keeping alive a 35-year streak of English dominance over Austrian clubs in major European competitions.
Man of the Match: Bradley Barcola (Liverpool)