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Liverpool will travel to Austria to face LASK Linz in their opening encounter of the UEFA Europa League campaign. The All Reds will have rotation in mind as they look to keep key individuals fresh for a long gruelling campaign. The game will take place in the Raiffeisen Arena on 21st September at 5:45 PM UK standard time.
LASK Linz vs Liverpool predicted lineups and team news
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Liverpool have started their season strongly in the Premier League as they are still unbeaten after five games. They are back in the UEL after last appearing in the 2016 final. Klopp will be looking to test out several promising players including Ben Doak and Jarell Quansah, along with some senior players returning to form and fitness like Joao Gomez and Ibrahima Konate.
Focus turns to tomorrow’s #UEL opener 👊
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 20, 2023
For the Austrian hosts, this is a much bigger game and anything they can get out of it will be a bonus, as this is just their third time in a major European competition. A bunch of youngsters including new signing Ebrima Darboe will be looking to catch the eye against one of the continent’s best teams. While it may not count for much, LASK are also unbeaten in AFB so far.
Team news: LASK Linz
Thomas Sageder’s side are very unfortunate in the injury front ahead of such a big clash from their perspective. They will be without the trio of Tobias Anselm, Yannis Letard, and Adil Taoui who are all out with long-term ACL injuries.
Die Laskler are likely to lineup in their customary 3-4-3 formation to stifle Liverpool’s wide threats, with wingbacks George Bello and Elias Havel having big roles to play. The black-whites will have to defend for most of the game and wait for their chance on the break.
LASK Linz Predicted Lineup (3-4-3)
Lawal; Luckeneder, Ziereis, Andrade; Flecker, Jovicic, Horvath, Bello; Ljubicic, Zulj, Havel
Team news: Liverpool
The Merseyside men will be boosted by the return of captain Virgil van Dijk following his two-match domestic ban. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Thiago Alcântara are still recovering from their injuries and won’t be available.
Klopp is likely to go with a much-rotated lineup as he looks to bed in the new signings. In the default 4-3-3 formation, we may see the debut of Ryan Gravenberch. The much debated no. six role could be filled by Wataru Endō.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Elliott, Endo, Gravenberch; Doak, Salah, Diaz
Will Mohammed Salah start?
After the Saudi saga, Salah has finally stayed in Liverpool and it is up to Klopp to manage his superstar. While the Liverpool talisman is an absolute machine, he can’t be expected to play every game, even though he wants to.
The Egyptian King will probably start, as he looks to get among goals, but is unlikely to last the entire game. Klopp can call upon the Wealth of options he has in the attacking positions, as Darwin Núñez in particular could use some confidence by getting in the scoresheet.
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