Match Preview
LASK, a strong team from the Austrian Bundesliga, enters the Group E opener on a seven-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, and they are determined to maintain their impressive form.
In their recent Bundesliga fixture against Austria Klagenfurt, LASK displayed exceptional teamwork, securing a convincing 3-1 victory. This win marked their fourth triumph in the last five league matches, with a solitary 1-1 draw against Tirol on August 19 being the only exception.
With their eyes now firmly on the Europa League, LASK earned a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Mostar in the playoffs back in August, securing their place in the group stages of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Liverpool continues to shine in the Premier League, showcasing their resilience with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in their most recent fixture.
Following a 1-1 draw against Chelsea to kick off the new top-flight campaign on August 13, Jurgen Klopp’s side has impressively won their subsequent four matches, netting 11 goals and conceding just three during this impressive run.
With 13 points out of a possible 15, Liverpool currently occupies the third position in the Premier League standings, trailing first-placed Manchester City by a mere two points.
Team News:
A significant number of injured players from LASK Linz will be absent from Sageder’s squad during the Europa League group stage. This includes Tobias Anselm, Yannis Letard, and Adil Taoui, all of whom are sidelined due to ACL injuries. Additionally, Lenny Pintor, a winger, will be missing due to a muscular problem. Japanese winger Keito Nakamura, who had an impressive 17-goal season in 2022-23, has left to join Reims in France.
Ebrima Darboe, on loan from Roma and a former Europa Conference League winner in the 2021-22 season, was LASK Linz’s marquee summer signing. However, he has only played one game for the LASK reserve side due to fitness issues and is unlikely to start.
For Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk is available for selection again after serving a two-game domestic ban. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold is still recovering from a hamstring problem and may not be ready for the trip to Austria. Alexander-Arnold is expected to resume ballwork during the week, but Joe Gomez will likely fill in for him. Unfortunately, midfielder Thiago Alcantara suffered a setback in his recovery from a hip problem before the international break and is expected to miss the game.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is expected to make several changes, including possibly giving summer signing Ryan Gravenberch his first start. Ben Doak, a talented player, may also get some minutes in attack as Klopp manages Mohamed Salah’s fitness.
LASK’s Last 5 Matches Form: WWDWW
Liverpool’s Last 5 Matches Form: WWWWD
Head-to-Head and Key Facts:
The upcoming clash between LASK and Liverpool marks their inaugural meeting, igniting a rivalry that both teams are eager to kickstart with a triumphant performance.
The Austrian Bundesliga outfit has been in formidable form, boasting an unbeaten streak spanning seven matches. During this impressive run, they’ve secured five victories and played to two draws since their lone setback, a 2-0 defeat against Sturm Graz on the 5th of August.
Liverpool, on the other hand, enters this matchup riding a wave of success, having won their last four consecutive games. Their remarkable unbeaten run extends to 16 competitive matches, a streak that commenced in early April. Over this period, they’ve notched 11 wins and five draws.
LASK has been a force to be reckoned with on their home turf, clinching victories in all but one of their last six competitive matches since May. The only blemish in this otherwise flawless record was a 1-1 draw against Rapid Wien on July 28.
Match Prediction:
LASK has been on an impressive winning streak in recent weeks. However, they face a formidable test when they take on a star-studded Liverpool team. Under Klopp’s leadership, Liverpool possesses the offensive firepower necessary to secure a positive outcome, and we believe they have a good chance of leaving the Raiffeisen Arena with the result they desire.
Best Bet: Liverpool to win or draw
