LASK vs. Liverpool: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Liverpool have triumphed in both previous meetings with LASK. | Instagram/LASK (LASK), Visionhaus/Getty Images (Liverpool)Liverpool face the simplest of their eight Champions League league phase matches this Wednesday, although they can’t afford complacency against competition debutants LASK.

Liverpool face the simplest of their eight Champions League league phase matches this Wednesday, although they can’t afford complacency against competition debutants LASK.

The Reds were triumphant in their opening European match of the season, coming from behind to beat Atlético Madrid 2–1 under the Anfield floodlights. The Raiffeisen Arena doesn’t boast the same allure as the fabled Merseyside venue, but just under 20,000 supporters will make their voices heard during a seismic occasion for LASK.

The Reds were triumphant in their opening European match of the season, coming from behind to beat Atlético Madrid 2–1 under the Anfield floodlights. The Raiffeisen Arena doesn’t boast the same allure as the fabled Merseyside venue, but just under 20,000 supporters will make their voices heard during a seismic occasion for LASK.

The Austrians were narrow 1–0 losers to AEK Athens in their first-ever match in the Champions League proper, and they will be forced to raise their level a fair few notches for Liverpool’s visit. They were unable to do so during the other meeting between the sides in Linz, when Jürgen Klopp’s men ran out 3–1 victors in the 2023–24 Europa League group stage.

The Austrians were narrow 1–0 losers to AEK Athens in their first-ever match in the Champions League proper, and they will be forced to raise their level a fair few notches for Liverpool’s visit. They were unable to do so during the other meeting between the sides in Linz, when Jürgen Klopp’s men ran out 3–1 victors in the 2023–24 Europa League group stage.

Liverpool might have conquered Atlético Madrid in their continental opener, but they enter the upcoming fixture deflated from Sunday’s bitter 3–0 defeat to Manchester City. Ryan Gravenberch’s costly red card contributed to Andoni Iraola’s first loss as Reds manager, with the Spaniard determined to witness a response from his injury-stricken team on their European travels.

Liverpool might have conquered Atlético Madrid in their continental opener, but they enter the upcoming fixture deflated from Sunday’s bitter 3–0 defeat to Manchester City. Ryan Gravenberch’s costly red card contributed to Andoni Iraola’s first loss as Reds manager, with the Spaniard determined to witness a response from his injury-stricken team on their European travels.

The Reds fought hard for victory over Atléti in their first outing. | Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesLiverpool are still finding their feet under Iraola following an unspectacular start to his reign and recent injuries haven’t helped his players adapt to the demands of his approach. But against a side like LASK, they shouldn’t need perfection to walk away with three points.

Liverpool are still finding their feet under Iraola following an unspectacular start to his reign and recent injuries haven’t helped his players adapt to the demands of his approach. But against a side like LASK, they shouldn’t need perfection to walk away with three points.

Their hosts are on a four-game winless streak which has seen them sink to third in the Austrian first division, and there are few recognizable faces within Dietmar Kühbauer’s roster. In contrast, Liverpool will field an arsenal of superstars in Linz.

Their hosts are on a four-game winless streak which has seen them sink to third in the Austrian first division, and there are few recognizable faces within Dietmar Kühbauer’s roster. In contrast, Liverpool will field an arsenal of superstars in Linz.

Even without some key personnel, the Reds should prove simply too powerful for the home side.

Even without some key personnel, the Reds should prove simply too powerful for the home side.

LASK will definitely be without three players for Wednesday’s gargantuan encounter. Spare a thought for Moses Usor, George Bello and Ramiz Harakaté, who will all sit out a memorable occasion against the six-time European champions.

LASK will definitely be without three players for Wednesday’s gargantuan encounter. Spare a thought for Moses Usor, George Bello and Ramiz Harakaté, who will all sit out a memorable occasion against the six-time European champions.

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Sasa Kalajdžić should start up front as he searches for his first goal of the campaign, with the towering striker potentially causing issues for Virgil van Dijk and Co. with his aerial prowess.

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Sasa Kalajdžić should start up front as he searches for his first goal of the campaign, with the towering striker potentially causing issues for Virgil van Dijk and Co. with his aerial prowess.

Kühbauer tends to favor five at the back and will certainly lean on this formation against Liverpool’s band of speedy forwards. Young goalkeeper Lukas Jungwirth will be busy between the posts if the defense in front of him can’t frustrate the Reds.

Kühbauer tends to favor five at the back and will certainly lean on this formation against Liverpool’s band of speedy forwards. Young goalkeeper Lukas Jungwirth will be busy between the posts if the defense in front of him can’t frustrate the Reds.

LASK predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (5-3-2): Jungwirth; Jørgensen, Mbuyamba, Alemão, Andrade, Dibango; Ljubičić, Bogarde, Horvath; Kalajdžić, Lang.

LASK predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (5-3-2): Jungwirth; Jørgensen, Mbuyamba, Alemão, Andrade, Dibango; Ljubičić, Bogarde, Horvath; Kalajdžić, Lang.

Liverpool have been forced to travel without the influential trio of Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai. They are “not far” from returning, according to Iraola, but no exact timeline has been put on their recoveries.

Liverpool have been forced to travel without the influential trio of Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai. They are “not far” from returning, according to Iraola, but no exact timeline has been put on their recoveries.

Without Isak and long-term absentee Hugo Ekitiké, it could be academy graduate Lewis Koumas leading the line once again. Szoboszlai’s absence opens up a space in midfield, which could be filled by young Trey Nyoni as Iraola looks to rotate where possible.

Without Isak and long-term absentee Hugo Ekitiké, it could be academy graduate Lewis Koumas leading the line once again. Szoboszlai’s absence opens up a space in midfield, which could be filled by young Trey Nyoni as Iraola looks to rotate where possible.

Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endō are unavailable having been omitted from the Champions League roster, while Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley remain missing in defense.

Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endō are unavailable having been omitted from the Champions League roster, while Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley remain missing in defense.

To keep things fresh ahead of a busy run of tough fixtures, Iraola could make changes from the weekend. Jeremie Frimpong, Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez and Rio Ngumoha could all enter the starting XI.

To keep things fresh ahead of a busy run of tough fixtures, Iraola could make changes from the weekend. Jeremie Frimpong, Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez and Rio Ngumoha could all enter the starting XI.

Gravenberch will be suspended for Liverpool’s next Premier League match following his dismissal against City, but he’s available for Iraola in Europe.

Gravenberch will be suspended for Liverpool’s next Premier League match following his dismissal against City, but he’s available for Iraola in Europe.

Liverpool predicted lineup vs. LASK (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Nyoni; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola; Koumas.

Liverpool predicted lineup vs. LASK (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Nyoni; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola; Koumas.

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Published just now | Modified just nowEWAN ROSS-MURRAYEwan Ross-Murray is a soccer writer for SI FC. He boasts years of experience following his First Class Honours in Journalism from the University of Leicester, producing a variety of content from match reports and news pieces to more extensive features on an array of topics. With Scottish, Welsh and English heritage, Ross-Murray’s soccer influences are far-ranging, but his primary focus is on the Premier League and Champions League.