Andoni Iraola has confirmed his Liverpool starting XI vs LASK in the Champions League, with the Spaniard making decisions on Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch in Austria
Florian Wirtz and Andoni Iraola after Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Florian Wirtz and Andoni Iraola after Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has made changes to his starting XI to take on LASK in the Champions League, with the Spaniard managing his roster amid several injury issues.
Alisson Becker is in goal, with Jeremie Frimpong returning at right-back. Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo and Kostas Tsimikas make up the rest of the defense, with Virgil van Dijk rested, while Ryan Gravenberch — who is suspended for the weekend's trip to Brentford — starts in midfield.
Alongside him is Trey Nyoni, with Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz, Lewis Koumas and Rio Ngumoha making up the rest of the team. Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai remain sidelined.
"Champions League away games are always tough — we know this," Iraola told club media ahead of the game.
"It’s a team that in their competition, they won the competition. They are normally dominant, they spend a lot of time on the ball, and they have to change their approach a little bit when they go to face stronger opposition in the Champions League.
"We have this season the precedent of Celtic losing here 5-1 in extra time. We have to respect them.
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)
"Obviously we want to come here and win. I assume that probably we are the favorites, but you have to come here, do the job and play well, because otherwise away games in the Champions League are never easy."
Liverpool won on matchday one in Europe, overcoming Atletico Madrid at Anfield. It takes on the Spanish side Villarreal next midweek in the same competition.
"The Champions League is a competition that everyone wants to play in," Iraola added.
"I could feel it in the first game against Atletico. It was a lovely atmosphere, a lovely win. We started the competition well and we want to continue in the same way.
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"We want to continue with a win in this case away, because [not] winning in this competition is very expensive. So, we want to take the points that we need early, because otherwise you put yourself in trouble."
After LASK and Villarreal, Liverpool will also face Fenerbahce, Club Brugge, Porto, Inter Milan and Lens in the group phase of the Champions League. A top eight spot in the standings secures a place in the last-16 without the need for a play-off tie.
Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Araujo, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Nyoni; Barcola, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Koumas.