Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has raised more concerns about the fitness of his squad ahead of facing LASK in the Champions League, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo already out
LINZ, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 13: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Andoni Iraola head coach of Liverpool during the training session/press conference on day ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 at Oberösterreich Arena on October 13, 2026 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has admitted he could be forced to make changes to his side for Wednesday’s Champions League encounter with LASK, with the Liverpool boss suggesting there could be more fitness concerns in his squad.
The Reds are in Austria as they prepare for their second European game this season, having started the league phase with a win over Atletico Madrid last month.
The game comes hot off the heels of Sunday’s defeat to Manchester City - Liverpool’s first this season - and will be followed just three days later by the trip to Brentford in the Premier League, leaving Iraola and his players little time to recover.
The Reds are already without Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo for tomorrow’s game, with the trio having also missed Sunday’s clash after returning from the international break with injuries.
Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain unavailable as they recover from long-term issues, further limiting Iraola’s options, while the Liverpool boss has admitted he will struggle to name the same side which started against City tomorrow.
Previewing the game against LASK in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Iraola said: “It's a game that we want to win, and we want to start strongly in this competition. We have already the first win, and we want to win the second one.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on October 08, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai is among those missing for Liverpool's game against LASK(Image: Getty Images)
“It’s always difficult to win games in this competition, but it’s true that sometimes because of freshness reasons, because of some niggles, I think it’s going to be difficult to put exactly the same starting XI tomorrow.”
Iraola didn’t name any specific players who may be carrying niggles, but Jeremy Jacquet did raise fears after missing France’s final game of the international break with what was reported to be a hamstring strain. Although he started against City, he could be one of those that needs to be rested in any case.
As for the absent Szoboszlai, Isak and Gakpo, Iraola has cast doubt over whether they will be ready in time for the weekend’s game against Brentford.
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Isak and Gakpo were both forced to withdraw early from Sweden and Netherlands duties with injuries, while Szoboszlai played almost every minute for Hungary, but has now returned to Merseyside with a hamstring issue.
Providing an update on the trio, Iraola said: "They are not far, but it is difficult to tell you right now. Any of the three have [not] trained with the group, and we are taking it day to day.
"The three of them are not far, I would say, but I don’t know if they are going to be ready for Brentford, for Villarreal, for Brighton, I don’t know."