Star coach Jürgen Klopp announced before the trip to Upper Austria that he did not want to use the Europa League as a field of activity for bench players. “Wherever we play it will be a huge game for the teams. It will be a huge game for anyone who comes to Anfield. It was the same in the Champions League, but it will be no different in the Europa League. And we have to be 100 percent ready for that,” said the German. At the press conference in Linz, Klopp noted that he had enjoyed the role of LASK himself. “But we are here to give absolutely everything. And not to show arrogance.”
England’s 19-time champions flew in late on Wednesday and took up residence in Bad Leonfelden. There will be no final training in the stadium, which is internationally known as the Oberösterreich Arena. Despite Klopp’s statement, the English press assumes that there will be rotation. The Irishman Caoimhin Kelleher could start in goal instead of Brazil’s team goalie Alisson. Defensive star Virgil van Dijk will probably start at the weekend after his suspension. The 17-year-old Ben Doak could start in attack instead of Mohammed Salah.
LASK ready for Liverpool
At the start of the Europa League group phase, LASK will face Liverpool FC on Thursday. Although the English are a big hurdle, the Upper Austrians are optimistic about the game.
Klopp: “It’s going to be a super difficult game”
Klopp did not want to provide any information on personnel issues. He emphasized again: “The more we allow, the more they will benefit. Tomorrow will be a super difficult game and I know that too.”
GEPA/Manuel Binder Star coach Jürgen Klopp entered the Oberösterreich Arena in Linz with a smile, followed by captain van Dijk
Host with a broad chest
The LASK can only look at itself in line-up poker. After the 3-1 win at Austria Klagenfurt on Saturday, the changes should be manageable. Rene Renner should be available again after his knee injury, as should Ibrahim Mustapha, who was also injured. Young striker Elias Havel promoted himself with a goal, and his speed could be a recipe against Van Dijk and Co.
Europa League, Group E
First matchday, 6.45 p.m.:
LASK – Liverpool
Oberösterreich Arena, SR Di Bello (ITA)
Possible lineups:
SHOT: Lawal – Ziereis, Andrade, Luckeneder – Flecker, Jovicic, Horvath, Renner – Mustapha, Zulj, Havel
Liverpool: Kelleher – Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson – Elliott, Endo, Gravenberch – Doak, Nunez, Diaz
Sageder was “impressed” by what the opponent’s name evoked in his team. “The team seems very focused and motivated. Anything else would also be surprising.” The 40-year-old rated Liverpool as the top international team. “But we are not afraid. We will do everything we can to challenge them properly,” said Sageder. He described his own emotional state as “very cool, very focused”. At the same time he has a “willingness to fight”. 17,098 fans are allowed in the arena, around 1,500 are expected to travel from England.
“Want to attack forward”
Basically, LASK wants to score points with speed, and the defense, which has conceded five goals after seven rounds in the championship, should also hold up in the Europa League. “We allow relatively little defensively and are getting better at attacking up front,” said Zulj. Regarding the situation, the “initiator” said: “We don’t need to talk about the fact that Liverpool are the clear favorites. In a normal game you have no chance. But we want to attack forward and play football with confidence. Then we’ll see what happens.”
The Linzers have earned this self-confidence with their last three wins in the Bundesliga. Liverpool is countering four successes en suite in the Premier League. In the most recent 3-1 win against Wolverhampton, the decisive goals came at the end. After a disappointing fifth place last season, the 2020 champions are ready to be at the top again. Klopp also wants to get “as far as possible” in the Europa League.
In its first season with the “Reds” in 2015/16, the club “only” played in the Europa League, Liverpool only lost in the final against Sevilla FC. In addition to LASK, the opponents are now Union Saint-Gilloise, most recently third in Belgium, and French Cup winners FC Toulouse.
