I’m glad Andoni Iraola has made this point before Liverpool face LASK tonight.
Because the last thing Liverpool need after losing to Manchester City is to travel to Austria, underestimate the opposition and make life difficult for themselves all over again.
Iraola knows Liverpool will be favourites. He also knows that means absolutely nothing if his players don’t turn up and do the job.
And he has reminded them of one result that should make everybody pay attention.
Celtic lost 5-1 to LASK after extra time.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League trip, Iraola said:
“We have this season the precedent of Celtic losing here 5-1 in extra time. We have to respect them.”
That is a pretty clear message from the Liverpool head coach. This is not a fixture to take lightly.
Liverpool have been warned
Iraola was quick to acknowledge the difficulty of playing away from home in Europe.
He also pointed out that LASK are the reigning Austrian champions and are used to dominating possession in their domestic competition.
Liverpool may have more individual quality, but the game will not be won on reputation alone.
As Iraola explained, his team must travel to Linz, play well and earn the result. Champions League away matches are rarely straightforward, particularly against a side determined to make the most of a big occasion.
And I think that is exactly the attitude Liverpool need tonight.
There is a temptation to look at the opposition, decide Liverpool should win comfortably and expect the three points to arrive automatically.
Football has a habit of punishing that sort of thinking.
The Celtic result is a reminder
The 5-1 scoreline against Celtic is worth remembering, although the context matters: LASK needed extra time to produce that result.
It still demonstrates that they can be dangerous at home and that Liverpool cannot assume they will simply roll over.
LASK won the Austrian Bundesliga last season, and they will see a match against Liverpool as an opportunity to make a statement on the European stage.
Liverpool need to respect that ambition without becoming frightened of the challenge.
There is a balance to strike. Iraola’s side should go into this game believing they are good enough to win, but they must also be prepared to work for it.
Confidence is important. Complacency is dangerous.
Liverpool need a response after Manchester City
The timing makes this match even more important.
Liverpool suffered a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, in a game that became particularly difficult after Ryan Gravenberch’s dismissal.
The Reds now have an immediate opportunity to respond in Europe.
I don’t think one defeat should suddenly change everything about Iraola’s Liverpool project, but the reaction matters. Supporters want to see the team take responsibility, play with intensity and show that the City result has not knocked their confidence.
A Champions League away win would be a useful step in that direction.
Liverpool opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Atlético Madrid at Anfield. Another win would give them six points from their opening two league-phase matches and put them in a strong early position.
Iraola has made it clear that collecting points early is important because failing to win can leave a team under pressure later in the competition.
That is why tonight matters.
There are no easy nights in Europe
Liverpool supporters have seen enough European football to know that away matches can be awkward.
The atmosphere, the opposition’s motivation and the different demands of playing away from Anfield can all make a difference.
LASK will be eager to test Liverpool, particularly after their own difficult start to the league phase. The Reds must be ready for that challenge from the first whistle.
I also want to see Liverpool manage the game properly. There is no need to force everything in the opening ten minutes, but there can be no drifting through the match either.
Move the ball quickly. Win the individual battles. Be alert when possession is lost. Take the chances when they arrive.
That sounds simple, but it is often the difference between a professional European performance and an uncomfortable evening.
Iraola has set the standard
What I like about Iraola’s comments is that he is not dismissing LASK or pretending Liverpool are guaranteed to win.
He expects his players to respect the opposition and do the work required.
That is exactly right.
Liverpool have enough quality to win this match, but they need to show it on the pitch. After Sunday’s disappointment, I want to see a response that is measured, determined and professional.
No excuses. No complacency. Just get the job done.
Iraola has delivered the warning. Now his players need to listen.
The Celtic result should be a reminder of what can happen when a European away game gets away from you.
Liverpool must make sure it doesn’t happen to them.
Go to Austria, respect LASK, play with intensity and bring the three points home.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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