LASK vs. Liverpool: Everything You Need to Know Before the Clash, Bold Predictions, and Expected Lineups

Liverpool face the most straightforward of their eight Champions League league phase fixtures this Wednesday, though they cannot afford to take competition newcomers LASK lightly.

The Reds claimed victory in their opening European outing of the season, overturning a deficit to defeat Atlético Madrid 2–1 beneath the Anfield lights. The Raiffeisen Arena may lack the same mystique as the iconic Merseyside ground, but nearly 20,000 fans will make themselves heard during a landmark occasion for LASK.

The Austrian side suffered a narrow 1–0 defeat to AEK Athens in their very first Champions League group stage appearance, and they will need to significantly elevate their performance for Liverpool's arrival. They were unable to do so in the previous meeting between the clubs in Linz, when Jürgen Klopp's side cruised to a 3–1 victory in the 2023–24 Europa League group stage.

Liverpool may have dispatched Atlético Madrid in their continental opener, but they head into this fixture deflated following Sunday's heavy 3–0 loss to Manchester City. Ryan Gravenberch's costly sending-off played a part in Andoni Iraola's first defeat as Reds boss, with the Spaniard eager to see a reaction from his injury-hit squad on their European travels.

LASK vs. Liverpool Score Prediction

Back-to-Back European Wins for Reds

Liverpool are still adjusting under Iraola following a modest start to his tenure, and a string of injuries has made it harder for his players to adapt to the demands of his system. But against opposition like LASK, they should not require a flawless display to secure all three points.

Their hosts are on a four-match run without a win, which has seen them drop to third in the Austrian top flight, and there are few well-known names within Dietmar Kühbauer's squad. By contrast, Liverpool will bring a wealth of star quality to Linz.

Even without certain key players, the Reds should prove far too strong for the home side.

Prediction: LASK 0–2 Liverpool

LASK Predicted Lineup vs. Liverpool

LASK will certainly be without three players for Wednesday's monumental clash. Sympathy goes out to Moses Usor, George Bello and Ramiz Harakaté, who will all miss a historic occasion against the six-time European champions.

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sasa Kalajdžić is expected to lead the attack as he hunts his first goal of the season, with the imposing forward potentially posing a threat to Virgil van Dijk and company through his aerial ability.

Kühbauer typically opts for a back five and will almost certainly deploy this setup against Liverpool's array of pacey attackers. Young goalkeeper Lukas Jungwirth will face a busy evening between the sticks if the defense ahead of him fails to contain the Reds.

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

Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. LASK

Liverpool have had to travel without the key trio of Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai. Iraola has indicated they are "not far" from returning, though no specific timeframe has been given for their comebacks.

With Isak and long-term absentee Hugo Ekitiké unavailable, academy product Lewis Koumas could once again lead the line. Szoboszlai's absence creates a midfield vacancy that young Trey Nyoni may fill, as Iraola looks to rotate his options where possible.

Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endō are ineligible having been left off the Champions League squad list, while Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley continue to be sidelined in defense.

To keep the squad fresh ahead of a demanding run of fixtures, Iraola may ring the changes from the weekend. Jeremie Frimpong, Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez and Rio Ngumoha could all earn starting berths.

Gravenberch will serve a suspension for Liverpool's next Premier League game following his red card against City, but he remains eligible for Iraola in European competition.

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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