Liverpool faces Austrian side LASK in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Andoni Iraola facing some big decisions with his team, not least when it comes to Florian Wirtz
LINZ, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 13: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Florian Wirtz 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's place in Liverpool's team has come under scrutiny(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool is back in Champions League action, and Andoni Iraola’s side will be aiming to continue its winning start to this season’s league phase as it faces LASK.
The Reds are in Austria for their second European encounter, having made the perfect start at home to Atletico Madrid last month. They will be expected to make it six points out of six on their travels, although Iraola has been dealt three big blows before a ball has even been kicked.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo have all stayed at home after returning from the international break with injuries, and there are worries over whether they’ll return in time for the weekend.
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Without his three main sources of goals, Iraola will have to reconfigure his attack once again - although two of his regular starters are leaving him with a difficult decision to make.
Florian Wirtz’s form continues to be a major concern, with calls for him to be dropped growing again after Sunday’s defeat to Manchester City, while Bradley Barcola’s underwhelming start in a red shirt isn’t doing himself many favors.
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)
Questions have been raised about Wirtz and Bradley Barcola's places on Liverpool's team(Image: Getty Images)
Add to that Iraola admitting he could be forced to make changes from the City game, with the hectic schedule taking its toll, and it really is anyone’s guess who will start later in Linz — although the Liverpool boss may have dropped some hints in training.
It was interesting to see which players were wearing bibs and which weren’t as the Reds trained at LASK’s stadium on Tuesday. The fact that Virgil van Dijk wasn’t wearing one could be a pretty good indicator of who might be starting.
Along with the Liverpool captain, Joe Gomez, Jeremie Frimpong and Kostas Tsimikas also went without a bib, which might point to the back four. At the very least, giving Jeremy Jacquet a rest probably makes sense after his injury scare at the end of the international break.
Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool in action during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Fulham
Jeremy Jacquet could be afforded a rest against LASK(Image: (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images))
Going by the same logic, it looks as though Trey Nyoni could partner Ryan Gravenberch in midfield. Given the latter is now suspended for Saturday’s trip to Brentford, it only makes sense to start him here and give Alexis Mac Allister a rest in the process.
The front four is perhaps where the bib theory falls apart. Barcola and Victor Munoz weren’t wearing them, which would make some sense, but then neither were Josh Sonni-Lambie and Jayden Danns.
It feels like it might be a step too far to start the two youngsters, even in what would be expected as one of Liverpool’s easier European ties. With that in mind, we’ll have to look elsewhere in the 23-man squad.
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Although he hasn’t met expectations so far, it feels like if there’s ever going to be a game for Wirtz to build up some confidence, this should be it. If he struggles against LASK, there can be little question that he shouldn’t keep his place against Brentford.
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Lewis Koumas can continue up top, although Iraola will have to be careful with the 21-year-old if there are still doubts over Isak and Gakpo. On either wing, Rio Ngumoha deserves a chance to stake his claim, while Munoz can stay in the side after impressing against City.
Liverpool predicted line-up vs LASK: Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Nyoni, Gravenberch; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Munoz, Koumas.