Bradley Barcola has been named UEFA player of the week after scoring a hat trick in Liverpool's impressive 6-3 victory over LASK.
For Andoni Iraola's side, this result was particularly significant following a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
However, it meant even more for Barcola himself. The French forward made a summer switch from PSG for a staggering £123 million, yet had struggled to find the net or register an assist in his first six matches for the club.
His hat trick against LASK not only halted his unwanted streak but also earned him personal recognition from UEFA.
Post-match, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola heaped praise on both Barcola and Florian Wirtz.
Iraola said:
I'm really pleased for Bradley. Just yesterday, many of you were asking me about his stats as well as Florian Wirtz's. Today, both played exceptionally well and made the difference.
Aside from the hat trick, Bradley was constantly posing a threat in one-on-one situations, helping us control the game while also tracking back defensively. I’m sure this will give them both a boost in confidence.
Barcola’s teammate Lewis Kumas also voiced his support for the Frenchman. He noted that Barcola’s struggles were less about footballing ability and more about adapting to life in a new country.
Kumas said:
It has been really tough for him. Not in terms of football — everyone in the dressing room knows how good he is.
But moving to a different country and settling in quickly is really challenging. I found it difficult during my loan spell, and here it’s a full country change.
I’m delighted he was able to showcase his abilities today. I hope he maintains this form going forward.
Now, Barcola will look to carry this success from the Champions League into the Premier League.
This Saturday, Liverpool will face Brentford away from home. Iraola's team currently sits ninth in the Premier League, seeking to improve their standing.
After six matches without any goal contributions, the Frenchman finally demonstrated why the club was willing to spend £123 million on him. The big question now — can Barcola maintain this level of performance in the upcoming fixtures?
