Liverpool has been gearing up to face LASK in the Champions League, and Andoni Iraola may have dropped some hints over his team selection during the club's open training session
LINZ, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 13: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Bradley Barcola 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)
Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola in training with Liverpool ahead of the Champions League tie against LASK(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool is back in Champions League action on Wednesday, and Andoni Iraola has already made some notable changes to his side’s European approach.
The Reds have made their way to Austria to take on LASK in their second game of this season’s competition, and unlike his predecessor Arne Slot, Iraola opted to conduct the club’s usual open training session at the opposition’s stadium, as opposed to the AXA Training Centre.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo were once again absent, with doubts still lingering over their fitness heading into such a busy fixture list, but there were still plenty of familiar faces involved in training in Linz, as well as some of the club’s youngsters.
Here's what we spotted from Liverpool's open training session on Tuesday ahead of facing LASK in the Champions League...
Selection hints?
It's immediately worth saying that players wearing bibs in training doesn't alway signify something, and is not always an indication of who's starting.
However, with the three goalkeepers off on their own, the outfield players were noticeably split evenly into 10 players wearing bibs, and 10 players without. Among those not wearing them was Virgil van Dijk, so it is probably safe to assume that any other defenders without bibs might be starting on Wednesday.
Joe Gomez, Kostas Tsimikas and Jeremie Frimpong were the others, so that might give us a hint at who will make up tomorrow's back four. It does chime in with what Iraola said about making changes, and you'd imagine Jeremy Jacquet might be one of the first to get a rest after his injury scare in the international break.
LINZ, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 13: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) General view 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's players trained at LASK's stadium ahead of Wednesday's game(Image: Getty Images)
Elsewhere, Ryan Gravenberch and Trey Nyoni didn't don the bibs, which could point to them starting together in midfield. Gravenberch's selection certainly makes sense, considering he will miss the weekend trip to Brentford through suspension.
The other bibless players would make for an interesting attack. Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz wouldn't be shock selections, but Josh Sonni-Lambie and Jayden Danns were also among that group, which would come as a surprise.
It might be the case then that any of the attackers wearing bibs might be starting, but it'll be interesting to see who Iraola's eventual team compares to what we saw in training.
Bad news for Wirtz or Barcola?
There is plenty of talk about Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola right now, especially when it comes to the former.
Between them, they have recorded just one assist and are both yet to score for Liverpool so far this season. With Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai — who have played a hand in 10 of the Reds' goals so far this season — out injured, much more is needed from both of the expensive signings.
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Wirtz in particular is under increasing pressure, given he has been at the club for over a year now. If training is anything to go by, we can assume that at least one of him or Barcola will be dropped to the bench against LASK.
Wirtz donned a bib while Barcola didn't, which would suggest one of them has lost their place in the side. We'll wait and see which one, if not both.
Danns' big opportunity
Whether he does start or not, this is a big opportunity for Jayden Danns.
The striker has been through injury hell since his breakthrough under Jurgen Klopp in the 2023/24 campaign, and even this season he has had a scare after pulling out of training for the Under-21s.
LINZ, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 13: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trey Nyoni and Jayden Danns 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)
Jayden Danns could make his first senior appearance in over a year(Image: Getty Images)
He is in the squad for tomorrow, and there could be an opportunity for him to make his first senior appearance since September 2025.. With Isak and Gakpo out, Iraola will have to be careful about how he uses Lewis Koumas, which could mean there will be minutes available for Danns.
It would be a big boost to see the 20-year-old back in the fold, having impressed so much two years ago. Fingers crossed it could be something of a turning point after such rotten luck.