Hat-Trick Hero Barcola Primed to Shine for Liverpool, Says Iraola

Liverpool's French midfielder #29 Bradley Barcola celebrates scoring the 1-5 goal, his hattrick, during the UEFA Champions League football match between LASK and Liverpool FC in Linz, Austria on October 14, 2026. (AFP)
Liverpool's French midfielder #29 Bradley Barcola celebrates scoring the 1-5 goal, his hattrick, during the UEFA Champions League football match between LASK and Liverpool FC in Linz, Austria on October 14, 2026. (AFP)
TT

Hat-Trick Hero Barcola Primed to Shine for Liverpool, Says Iraola

Liverpool's French midfielder #29 Bradley Barcola celebrates scoring the 1-5 goal, his hattrick, during the UEFA Champions League football match between LASK and Liverpool FC in Linz, Austria on October 14, 2026. (AFP)
Liverpool's French midfielder #29 Bradley Barcola celebrates scoring the 1-5 goal, his hattrick, during the UEFA Champions League football match between LASK and Liverpool FC in Linz, Austria on October 14, 2026. (AFP)

Andoni Iraola believes Bradley Barcola's hat-trick in Liverpool's 6-3 Champions League win over LASK on Wednesday will herald the start of a dominant spell for the France forward.

Barcola had come under fire for some lackluster performances since his blockbuster £123 million ($161 million) move from Paris Saint-Germain in August.

But he finally started to live up to his hefty price tag with his first goals for Liverpool in his seventh appearance.

Barcola struck twice before the interval at the Raiffeisen Arena after Ronald Araujo put Liverpool ahead in the first half with his maiden goal for the club.

Jeremie Frimpong netted the fourth after the break against the Austrian champions before Barcola completed his treble.

There was still time for Lewis Koumas to score his first Champions League goal as Liverpool maintained their 100 percent record in this season's tournament after beating Atletico Madrid in their opening game.

"I'm really happy for Bradley because you were asking me yesterday about him not making the numbers, also Florian (Wirtz)," Iraola told reporters on Wednesday.

"I think both of them today played really well. I think they made a difference. Bradley apart from the hat-trick, I think he was a threat always - one-v-one, threatening in behind.

"Also Flo helped us a lot to control the game, finding the pockets. I'm happy for both of them.

"I think their confidence, for sure, is very good. I think they feel that we trust them a lot. But at the end, to enjoy a little bit playing in the Champions League away, I think it's going to be very good for them."

Barcola won the Champions League with PSG in each of the last two seasons and arrived at Anfield with high expectations.

Iraola is confident his forward's adaptation to English football will be aided by his goal-spree in Austria.

"Obviously I think he has to enjoy this because to score a hat-trick in the Champions League is always very difficult," he said.

"Even training yesterday, I could feel he was very lively, sometimes you feel these things. You never know how he's going to play the next day, but it wasn't like a big surprise because we were feeling he was in a good place for the game."

Iraola was relieved to get back on track after losing for the first time as Liverpool boss in the 3-0 defeat against Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday.

Iraola was also able to rest the likes of Vigil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister ahead of this weekend's trip to Brentford.

"You have different demands for each game and you have to try to analyze what players, not just you can rest, it's what players can perform well against LASK and help us to win the game, what players can help us against Brentford," Iraola said.

"But after Brentford we will play in three days against Villarreal, another very difficult Champions League game, and we will need more than 11, more than 12, more than 13."



Leipzig’s Demichelis Relishing City Clash with ‘Best Friend’ Maresca

Argentinian coach Martin Demichelis addresses a press conference at the training grounds of German first division Bundesliga football club RB Leipzig on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 3, 2026. (AFP)
Argentinian coach Martin Demichelis addresses a press conference at the training grounds of German first division Bundesliga football club RB Leipzig on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 3, 2026. (AFP)
TT

Leipzig’s Demichelis Relishing City Clash with ‘Best Friend’ Maresca

Argentinian coach Martin Demichelis addresses a press conference at the training grounds of German first division Bundesliga football club RB Leipzig on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 3, 2026. (AFP)
Argentinian coach Martin Demichelis addresses a press conference at the training grounds of German first division Bundesliga football club RB Leipzig on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 3, 2026. (AFP)

RB Leipzig coach Martin Demichelis said it was an "honor" to face long-time friend and Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash.

Demichelis, 45, and Maresca were neighbors during their time playing together at Malaga and the Leipzig coach said Tuesday he considered the Italian as his "brother".

"I know Enzo very well -- he's one of my best friends in football. I'd say we're almost like brothers," Demichelis said Tuesday.

"We lived together -- or rather, right next door to each other -- in Spain. I'm familiar with his philosophy, his ideas.

"Our kids grew up together. Early on as players, we both wanted to become coaches.

"We started the journey together. He's very intelligent and pragmatic and it'll be an honor to take the pitch with him tomorrow."

The Argentinian, who took over in Saxony in the summer, said Maresca had called him on Monday trying to get the inside scoop of Leipzig's likely starting XI.

"Enzo is a winner. He'll be doing everything he can to win titles with Manchester City," Demichelis added.

"There was a lot of interest in my line-up when we spoke yesterday. We think very much alike when it comes to football...

"Enzo wants to know our line-up. I won't say anything. He'll find out tomorrow."

Demichelis spent three seasons at Manchester City, winning the 2013-14 Premier League title and two League Cups during the period the club were found guilty of having broken financial rules.

The coach said the looming penalties and the potential of having his titles stripped did not concern him.

"I spent three fantastic years there, but it was a long time ago," Demichelis said.

"(The charges are) not interesting, it's a long time ago, football has changed.

"I'm the coach of RB Leipzig and all I want tomorrow is a good game from RB Leipzig."


Saliba Back in Training with Arsenal After Being Out Injured Since the World Cup

UEFA Champions League - Arsenal Training - Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney, Britain - November 3, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba during training. (Reuters)
UEFA Champions League - Arsenal Training - Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney, Britain - November 3, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba during training. (Reuters)
TT

Saliba Back in Training with Arsenal After Being Out Injured Since the World Cup

UEFA Champions League - Arsenal Training - Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney, Britain - November 3, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba during training. (Reuters)
UEFA Champions League - Arsenal Training - Arsenal Training Centre, London Colney, Britain - November 3, 2026 Arsenal's William Saliba during training. (Reuters)

William Saliba has returned to full training at Arsenal, 3½ months after his last game — in the World Cup semifinals for France.

Saliba has been out of action with a back injury that didn't require surgery but an extended period of rehabilitation, Arsenal said in July.

The center back took part in a training session on Tuesday, a day before Arsenal's Champions League match at Slavia Prague.

Saliba hasn't played since being substituted out of France's 2-0 semifinal loss to Spain at the World Cup during the first half.

Saliba has struck up an impressive, yearslong center-back partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes that was key to Arsenal winning the Premier League title last season.

However, despite his ball-playing qualities and excellent reading of the game, Saliba might not be rushed back into the first team by manager Mikel Arteta.

That's because the man who has replaced Saliba for the start of this season — summer signing Ezri Konsa — has put in a slew of strong performances so far and Arteta might not be ready to break up the Konsa-Gabriel combination just yet.

One option could be to switch Konsa to right back, where he occasionally has played for former club Aston Villa and England. Arteta also has Jurrien Timber and Ben White as options at right back.


West Ham Sack Head Coach Nuno After Poor Start to Championship Season

11 September 2026, United Kingdom, London: File Photo - West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts during the Championship match between West Ham United and Wrexham at the London Stadium. (dpa)
11 September 2026, United Kingdom, London: File Photo - West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts during the Championship match between West Ham United and Wrexham at the London Stadium. (dpa)
TT

West Ham Sack Head Coach Nuno After Poor Start to Championship Season

11 September 2026, United Kingdom, London: File Photo - West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts during the Championship match between West Ham United and Wrexham at the London Stadium. (dpa)
11 September 2026, United Kingdom, London: File Photo - West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts during the Championship match between West Ham United and Wrexham at the London Stadium. (dpa)

West Ham sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on Tuesday after a disappointing start to the Championship season.

The 52-year-old Portuguese manager oversaw the Hammers' relegation from the Premier League last season but stayed with the London club.

Many viewed them as favorites to win automatic promotion back to the top flight but they are currently eighth in the second-tier table, six points behind leaders Middlesbrough, after 13 games.

West Ham had a good run after a shaky start to the season but have lost their past two league games, against Southampton and West Brom.

Nuno, who previously managed Wolves, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, was appointed in September last year but was unable to keep West Ham in the Premier League.

"West Ham United can confirm that men's first-team head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has left his position with immediate effect," the club said in a statement.

"Following a thorough review of the start to the EFL Championship season, the board of directors believe that a change is necessary at this time in order to ensure that the club's objectives and expectations remain on track."

Assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeping coach Rui Barbosa have also left the club.

West Ham said the process of recruiting a new head coach was already under way.