Lewis Koumas and Bradley Barcola were two of Liverpool’s star performers as they both scored during the Reds’ 6-3 win over LASK on Wednesday.

Barcola stole most of the headlines after hitting a brilliant hat-trick, but Koumas was quietly impressive again, registering a goal and an assist as he cemented his place in Andoni Iraola’s plans.

Liverpool players sold on Barcola

Wednesday was a really big moment for Barcola. Having failed to score or assist in his first six matches for Liverpool, the knives were beginning to sharpen.

For the Liverpool players, though, Koumas says that there was never any doubt that the former Paris Saint-Germain forward is an ‘unbelievable talent,’ it was just a question of letting him get settled in and acclimatised to a new country.

Asked by journalist Peter McDowell why his thoughts had turned to Barcola before his post-match interview with LFCTV, Koumas lifted the lid on what it has been like for the 24-year-old to move from PSG to Liverpool, and what the view of him is inside the changing room.

“Because I think it’s been really hard for him,” the 21-year-old answered. “Not in terms of on the pitch, because in the changing room we all know how good he is, but, you know, moving country and trying to settle in fast is tough.”

“I found it tough on loan, so changing countries completely must be something else, so I’m just really happy that he showed how good he is tonight and I just hope he carries on doing it now.

“He’s unbelievable. He’s an unbelievable talent and I’m sure he’ll be unbelievable for Liverpool.”

There was beginning to be some doubts that the Reds may have landed themselves another expensive dud in Barcola, but while those question marks will not go away just yet, he is now going the right way to silence any and all critics.