Iraola believes that enjoying the game helps boost players' confidence.

Liverpool defeated LASK Linz 6-3 in the second round of the Champions League, thanks to a hat-trick from Barkola, along with goals from Araujo, Frimpong, and Lewis Koumas. Manager Andoni Iraola expressed his delight with his players' performance, stating that enjoying the game greatly boosts their confidence.

In the 22nd minute, Tsimikas took a corner kick, and Araujo headed the ball into the net, giving Liverpool a 1-0 lead. In the 24th minute, Lewis Koumas passed the ball back in a scramble, and Barkola slotted it home, extending Liverpool's lead over LASK Linz to 2-0.

In the 37th minute, Wirtz delivered a diagonal pass into the penalty area, where Barkola received the ball and slotted it home, making it 3-0. In the 51st minute of the second half, Tsimikas chipped a pass to Frimpong, who headed the ball into the net, extending Liverpool's lead to 4-0.

In the 63rd minute, Dibongo crossed from the penalty area, Ljubicic controlled the ball and fired a low shot into the net, helping Linz pull one back to 1-4. In the 66th minute, Frimpong received the ball and crossed from the penalty area, Barkola stepped up and pushed the ball into the empty net, helping Liverpool further extend their lead to 5-1.

In the 72nd minute, Frimpong intercepted the ball and crossed it into the penalty area from the right wing. Lewis Koumas seized the opportunity and fired a shot into the net, giving Liverpool a commanding 6-1 lead over LASK Linz. Shortly after, Dibongo assisted Fleck twice to score, bringing LASK Linz back to 3-6.

Liverpool ultimately defeated LASK Linz 6-3 away from home.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said, "I'm really happy for Barcora because people were asking me why he and Wirtz didn't put up good numbers. I think they both played exceptionally well and played a vital role. Barcora not only scored a hat-trick, but he was also a huge threat throughout the game."

"He can create threats in one-on-one situations and also use his movement to threaten behind the opponent's defense. Wirtz also helped us a lot in controlling the tempo, as he was able to find space between the opponent's defense. So, I'm happy to see both of them performing like this."

Andoni Iraola pointed out, "I think their confidence will definitely be greatly boosted, and they can feel that we have full trust in them. Most importantly, they will be able to enjoy football in Champions League away games. I think this will be very helpful for them."

“I have said before that Tre Nione, Lewis Koumas and Ngummoha are all very young players. Although Ngummoha has had more opportunities and has even played for the national team, they are still youth players. I think Tre Nione and Lewis Koumas are making their first start in the Champions League, but they are already considered first-team players.”

Furthermore, regarding Liverpool conceding three goals during the match, Andoni Iraola said, "I think there's a reason why managers usually don't make changes to two center-backs at the same time. It's not easy to change two center-backs at the same time; the new combination needs to play together immediately, and they need to build chemistry. However, when you're already leading 4-0, you have to start thinking about the next game; we have Brentford in a few days."

"Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet have been carrying a heavy workload recently. They have not only participated in many matches, but also represented their respective national teams in many games. Therefore, I think it was indeed time for them to rest."

However, considering only the result of this match, it was clearly not the right decision for the head coach to substitute both center-backs at the same time.

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