The latest Liverpool team news, injury update and predicted XI ahead of their Champions League clash with LASK
Liverpool will look to dust themselves down from their 3-0 weekend defeat to under-fire Manchester City, when they take on Austrian Bundesliga champions LASK in the Champions League this evening. The Reds won their first Champions League outing of the season against Atletico Madrid, and will be hopeful of making it two wins in two against LASK - a team they comfortably beat home and away back in 2023.
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Heading into the game, however, Liverpool have multiple injury problems to contend with. Alexander Isak, Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo all missed the game against Man City and won’t feature against LASK either. Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are out for the foreseeable future, while both Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo aren’t part of the league phase squad.
Ahead of Liverpool’s big trip to the Raiffeisen Arena, this is the most likely starting XI Andoni Iraola will field, as he looks to build some momentum in a season where the Reds will once again have a crack at winning the Champions League for the first time since 2019.
Liverpool predicted line-up vs LASK: Goalkeeper and defence
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk looks set to start against LASKplaceholder image
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk looks set to start against LASK | Getty Images
Between the sticks, Alisson will keep his starting spot. The veteran Brazil international was frustrated to concede three goals last weekend, and will be eager to pick up a confidence-boosting clean sheet against LASK. At right-back, Jeremie Frimpong could come in to give Liverpool more of an attacking feel against objectively weaker opposition.
This change in defence could see Ronald Araujo move from right-back into a central defensive role, with Jeremy Jacquet likely to be rested after only just making Liverpool’s starting XI to play Man City following an international break injury. He’s set to be paired with veteran Virgil van Dijk, who is gearing up to make his 382nd appearance for the club.
At left-back, the Reds could bring in Konstantinos Tsimikas, but look more likely to stick with the familiar and start Milos Kerkez instead. There has been heavy speculation surrounding Liverpool’s left-back situation, with the club tipped to sign a better quality option for the problem area in the near future.
Liverpool predicted line-up vs LASK: Midfield and attack
Bradley Barcola could start up top for Liverpool against LASKplaceholder image
Bradley Barcola could start up top for Liverpool against LASK | Getty Images
After Ryan Gravenberch was sent off against Man City, he’ll likely play the full ninety minutes against LASK with no Premier League football next weekend for him to be fresh for following his suspension. He’s set to be paired with Alexis Mac Allister, who scored the winner in the Reds’ win against Atletico Madrid at Anfield last month.
On the right wing, Victor Munoz looks set to retain his spot. He was largely ineffectual against the Citizens, but did make a name for himself with an excellent goal against Nottingham Forest earlier this season. The struggling Florian Wirtz will likely retain his spot at number ten in an ideal opportunity for the £117m signing to gain some confidence.
Rio Ngumoah could be brought into the side to play on the left wing, which would give Iraola the chance to experiment with Bradley Barcola as a central striker. The £123m summer signing struggled off the left against Man City, and with Isak out, the Reds are in dire need of some quality down the middle. Should Iraola opt for a more familiar looking side, Lewis Koumas will lead the line, with Barcola taking Ngumoah’s place on the left.
Liverpool predicted XI vs LASK: Alisson; Frimpong, Araujo, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Munoz, Wirtz, Ngumoah; Barcola.