Liverpool will kick off their Europa League campaign on Thursday night in Austria against LASK. The last time Jurgen Klopp’s Reds played in the Europa League, they reached the final, losing to Sevilla in 2016.
Thursday’s match will be the first meeting in European football between LASK and Liverpool. The Austrians go into the game as heavy underdogs.
Another dramatic away comeback 😱#WOLLIV 🎬 pic.twitter.com/FU02D3CGIz— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 17, 2023
Another dramatic away comeback 😱#WOLLIV 🎬 pic.twitter.com/FU02D3CGIz
LASK are in good form ahead of matchday No. 1 in Europa League Group E. The Austrians have played 10 matches already this season, going unbeaten in nine of those matches. Their only loss was a domestic defeat to Sturm Graz.
Liverpool go into the match unbeaten in five matches this season. The Reds are on a four-match winning streak ahead of the trip to Austria and getting stronger.
With a difficult league match against West Ham at the weekend, Klopp could rotate the side.
Although Klopp can use plenty of backup players, there won’t be much weakness in the Liverpool starting XI.
Klopp has the chance to bring Virgil van Dijk back into the team. The Dutchman is currently suspended in the Premier League but is available for Thursday.
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold will likely miss the match due to an injury. Midfielder Thiago Alcantara is also set to miss out due to an injury.
LASK coach Thomas Sageder could be without several players for the match. Seven players could miss out on the match.
Yannis Letard and Tobias Anselm are both out with ACL injuries. Forward Adil Taoui is also out of action with an ACL injury.
The Austrians are strong in attack, with 20 goals scored this term. Forward Robert Zulj has three of LASK’s 20 goals this term.
LASK conceded just seven times in their opening 10 matches. They kept four clean sheets.
Keeping a clean sheet against Liverpool will be a challenge. The Reds scored 12 goals in five Premier League matches. Liverpool conceded four goals to opponents and kept one clean sheet.
The Reds are led in goals by Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, and Darwin Nunez, all of whom have scored twice in the Premier League.
Salah is the team’s chief creator with four assists. However, it is unlikely Salah will play in Austria. Nunez, Diaz, and Diogo Jota will all be in line to start on Thursday night.
Liverpool should outplay LASK on matchday No. 1 of the Europa League in a close match in Austria. The Reds will edge LASK 2-1 to start the group stage.