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LASK v Liverpool – The Europa Group Preview

For those that are still reeling from Liverpool’s inability to make this year’s Champions League, the lack of a top four finish may not have been the worst scenario for the 2023/24 season. A transformative summer of change has seen a very good start to the season unfold, one which allows the usual stresses of elite European competition to cease for a year. Newcastle, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Manchester United, will all have to start many of their first team squad this midweek (in the Champions League), whereas Jürgen Klopp is able to rotate his entire team, given the level of opposition.

Below is just one version of what our German manager could do this Thursday.

The LASK Availability

On the injury front, the 2022/23 Austrian Football Bundesliga 3rd placed team will be without Tobias Anselm, Philipp Wiesinger, Adil Taoui, and Lenny Pintor. For this huge home match up, the Raiffeisen Arena will undoubtedly be fulfilling its 19,080-stadium capacity, due to the European royalty heading to town. With a current league position of 3rd in their top tier division, the hosts come into this game on the back of a solid 1-3 away win against A. Klagenfurt. Given the noted availability and the positive result from the weekend, their manager, Thomas Sageder, will surely want to put out his strongest team. That preferred first eleven will not be dissimilar from that which is shown below.

The Liverpool Availability

In terms of injures, the myth of Thiago Alcântara remains just that, whilst Trent Alexander Arnold will not be risked before the visit of West Ham on Sunday. The previous match saw the Reds eventually overcome an ambitious Wolves side, as a spirited second half display ended in a 1-3 away win. That starting line-up and subsequent in-game changes was largely decided by the travelling international contingent, which saw certain first team members drop to the bench. I believe this game could be about getting 45 minutes into the captain, Virgil van Dijk, though the majority of this initial eleven will not be those that will start the upcoming weekend contest. Below is another fair indication of what could be, however, one can never be certain in which direction our illustrious manager will head.

How Will This Contest Play Out

Even though Liverpool have enjoyed a strong start to their Premier League season, it has been undertaken with a few players coming in and out of the side. Jürgen Klopp is one of those managers that will sooner or later settle on a preferred starting eleven, therefore, this game represents a solid opportunity for a lot of supposed fringe players to impress. I foresee some good individual performances in Austria, as the desire to make a statement contribution will be high on the wants of many players. The reds have a plethora of talented players likely to start this game, which should create an entertaining spectacle within a wonderfully humble football stadium. Due to the enormous fire power of the visitors, l can see fair number of goals within a solid away win.

Player to watch – Ryan Gravenberch

Score Prediction;

LASK 1 – 4 Liverpool

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