Liverpool supporters found an unusual way to offset the cost of their Champions League trip to Austria, with some reportedly earning hundreds of pounds by collecting and returning used beer cups at LASK’s stadium.
Fans attending the match at the Raiffeisen Arena were offered approximately £2.50 for every cup returned, encouraging some travelling supporters to gather as many as they could find in the stands and concourses.
The scheme quickly became an attraction of its own, with supporters proudly displaying towering collections of cups, often described as “beer snakes”, as they attempted to maximise their earnings.
One Liverpool fan told Daily Mail Sport that they had collected enough to make around £250, a sum that could cover the cost of the trip. Another supporter reportedly earned almost £170, with a father sharing a photograph of his son’s haul and celebrating what he described as his first day earning money.
Beer Snakes Become an Unexpected Attraction
The cup-collection activity created lively scenes inside the stadium, as Liverpool fans carried enormous stacks of empty cups through the concourse.
Some of the towers became so tall that they appeared close to toppling over, while supporters danced and celebrated their unexpected earnings.
The unusual activity also meant that some fans missed portions of the action on the pitch. One supporter jokingly admitted to seeing only one of the nine goals scored during the match.
Although the money offered for each returned cup might seem modest, collecting dozens or even hundreds made the scheme worthwhile for some travelling fans.
The practice is less familiar in English football, where supporters are not routinely offered the same opportunity to recover part of their spending by returning used drinking cups.
Liverpool Fans Have Taken Advantage of Similar Schemes Before
The Austrian trip was not the first occasion on which Liverpool supporters benefited from cup-return arrangements at European away matches.
Sparta Prague offered a similar scheme when Liverpool visited for a Europa League fixture in March 2024. The same approach was also available to travelling fans in Leipzig later that year, during another European campaign.
The system has also appeared in English football, although it remains relatively uncommon. Lewes, a club competing in the seventh tier, introduced a comparable initiative in September last year.
Such arrangements can encourage supporters to return used cups instead of leaving them around the stadium, while giving fans an opportunity to reclaim some of the money spent during a match.
For Liverpool’s travelling contingent, however, the financial incentive became an entertaining side story to a European away day.
Liverpool’s Nine-Goal Match Provides Plenty of Drama
The cup-collecting scenes unfolded alongside a goal-filled encounter in which Liverpool defeated Austrian champions LASK 6-3.
Despite some defensive weaknesses, Liverpool produced an impressive attacking display, with several players making important contributions in front of goal.
Bradley Barcola was among the standout performers, scoring a hat-trick and repeatedly troubling the opposition defence with his movement and runs into space.
The forward’s performance drew praise from Andoni Iraola, who said Barcola had offered more than just goals and had consistently threatened the opposition.
Iraola explained that he had noticed the player looking particularly sharp in training and was pleased to see that form translate into the match.
Florian Wirtz Impresses as Liverpool Attack Finds Its Rhythm
Florian Wirtz also earned praise for his contribution, particularly his work in possession and ability to create opportunities.
Iraola described the midfielder’s performance as outstanding, highlighting his passing, assists and movement into spaces that helped Liverpool control the game, especially during the first half.
Wirtz’s influence provided another positive aspect of an evening in which Liverpool were productive going forward, even as questions remained about their defensive performance.
The match also saw young striker Lewis Koumas score his first goal of the season. Koumas had earlier seen two efforts ruled out for offside and was filling in for the injured Alexander Isak.
Defenders Ronald Araujo and Jeremie Frimpong also found the net, adding to Liverpool’s attacking output.
A Memorable Away Day On and Off the Pitch
Liverpool’s visit to Austria delivered two very different forms of entertainment: a nine-goal contest and an unexpected opportunity for supporters to earn money by returning empty cups.
For some fans, the scheme reportedly helped cover much of the cost of travelling to the match. For others, it became a source of amusement, with towering beer snakes and lively celebrations adding to the atmosphere.
The episode also highlighted a difference between stadium practices across European football, where cup-return incentives can offer supporters a small financial reward while helping venues manage used containers.
With Liverpool scoring six goals and some fans claiming substantial earnings from their collections, the night in Austria gave the travelling support plenty to talk about long after the final whistle.
