Barcola's 'acid test' will be Brentford away
- Published
Andoni Iraola's side were relentless in the first half against Austrian champions LASK. Their dominance was such that they could have easily scored more than three.
The 19 shots Liverpool had by half-time was the most on record since 2003-04 by any team in the first half of a Champions League away match.
If there was any criticism, it would be that they were guilty of becoming a little complacent in the second period, conceding three goals after the hour mark but, in fairness, the job was all but done.
There were more positives to take on the night, with both full-backs coming into the side and performing well. Jeremie Frimpong scored and registered two assists, while Kostas Tsimikas added two assists of his own.
Ronald Araujo also scored his first goal for the club and Lewis Koumas got no less than he deserved when he netted in the second half.
The 21-year-old even had two goals ruled out for offside, but his first-half assist for Bradley Barcola meant he became the youngest player to score and assist in a Champions League match for Liverpool (21 years 25 days), with the previous record held by Steven Gerrard. Fine company, indeed.
Liverpool will know they will not get many easier games than this over the course of the season. After all, LASK came into it winless in their past four matches.
"It is very difficult to assess because the game was very passive for large periods," said former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"There were parts when I was watching Trey Nyoni in midfield and he had no pressure on him at all and was just picking passes off.
"Barcola had got the run of his full-back, who was taken off at half-time, so I think that tells you everything.
"I don't read too much into it because I expected Liverpool to go there and win, and win comfortably."
Warnock believes the bigger test for Liverpool will be at Brentford on Saturday, with the unbeaten Bees fourth in the Premier League.
He added: "Can Barcola do that again away at Brentford? That's what they have essentially bought him for - to play in big games away from home.
"He hasn't played much football this season, so this game was about getting minutes in his legs, getting him fit and sharper.
"The acid test will be this next fixture."
