Liverpool vs. LASK

Liverpool have the chance to ensure their place within the Europa League knockout rounds and presumably the final 16 ought to they carry out at Anfield and one other outcome go their approach.

Europa League (5) | Anfield
November 30, 2023 | 8pm (GMT)

The ultimate European evening at Anfield for the group levels is upon us, with the Reds assembly LASK within the penultimate spherical – a crew who examined Jurgen Klopp‘s aspect within the opening match.

There may be loads on the road, with an opportunity to wrap up the group with a recreation to spare.

Listed below are 10 key issues to know forward of kick-off.

1. At the least 2 weeks out for Alisson

Alisson left loads of us in a apprehensive state after clutching at his hamstring and strolling off the Etihad pitch in discomfort, and we now know he won’t be out there for the subsequent couple of weeks, at finest.

Caoimhin Kelleher was all the time to step in for this fixture, however it’s a enormous blow for Liverpool throughout what’s their busiest run of video games, with matches approaching common each 2.8 days up till Boxing Day.

Twenty-five-year-old Kelleher may have a key function to play, and getting within the groove is paramount towards the Austrian aspect, with Alisson not anticipated again till the go to of Man United (Dec 17).

2. An opportunity to qualify for the final 16, if…

Liverpool presently sit atop of Group E with 9 factors, two forward of subsequent finest Toulouse – who face Union SG on the identical time on Thursday night.

A win for the Reds will assure their place within the knockout levels no matter the opposite outcome. Nonetheless, they may safe a final 16 place ought to they win and Toulouse fail to beat Union SG.

Liverpool wish to keep away from the spherical of 32, and whereas one result’s out of their palms, they will make life loads simpler for themselves by getting the job performed at Anfield.

We didn’t get pleasure from doing it the straightforward final trip on this competitors, let’s hope that adjustments on Thursday!

3. “A bit extra extreme” for Jota…

Liverpool’s No. 1 was not the one damage concern to come back out of the draw at Man Metropolis, with Diogo Jota additionally pressured off with damage.

Klopp has since confirmed that the No. 20 faces time on the sidelines with a hamstring damage, along with his interval of absence to be a “little bit longer” than Alisson‘s.

It suggests as much as 4 weeks as the very best final result, however the supervisor admitted “we don’t know precisely how lengthy” as it’s “a bit extra extreme,” and we all know from the previous that timelines aren’t any assure.

Fortunately, there aren’t any different new health points to be involved about, leaving Alisson and Jota on the sidelines alongside Andy Robertson, Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic.

4. LASK not coming as “vacationers”

For the primary time of their historical past, LASK make the journey to Anfield for a aggressive match and their supervisor, Thomas Sageder, has insisted they’re not right here for a enjoyable evening out.

“We don’t wish to go there as vacationers,” Sageder mentioned over the weekend. “It’s only a soccer recreation that you simply all the time have some probability of successful. We wish to demand every little thing from them there.”

A good warning of what to anticipate from LASK, who warmed up for this match with a slender 1-0 victory, consolidating their present third place standing within the Austrian Bundesliga.

Kind (all competitions)

Liverpool (most up-to-date L-R): D W L D W
LASK: W L W W D

Attainable LASK XI: Lawal; Andrade, Talovyerov, Ziereis; Stojkovic, Horvath, Ljubic, Bello; Ljubicic, Zulj, Uso

5. Impolite Anfield awakening

LASK could also be intent on asking questions of the Reds, however they won’t be naive to Liverpool’s present file at dwelling.

The Reds have scored in every of their final 19 Anfield outings since a 0-0 Premier League draw with Chelsea again in January.

Furthermore, Klopp’s aspect have received all 9 dwelling video games this season throughout all competitions – scoring 27 occasions in that run and conceding solely 4.

Fortess Anfield.

6. Klopp desires everybody to “actually go for it”

Talking on the eve of the conflict, Klopp referred to as for a “correct European evening at Anfield” as his aspect put together to begin an intense run of video games throughout a number of competitions:

“We’re to start with of probably the most intense interval of the entire season, that’s how it’s. We play now Thursday-Sunday, then Wednesday-Saturday and it’s tremendous robust.

[…]

“We’ve to guarantee that it is a European evening, that’s what I anticipate us to do. A correct European evening at Anfield, actually going for it.

“I’ll line up a crew – I didn’t hear something but on who I can’t [start from] all of the others, moreover the injured gamers – that has contemporary legs and can go for it, who desires to benefit from the recreation and can actually combat for a outcome.”

7. Doak’s desires coming true

Ben Doak has two appearances on this competitors up to now and will likely be in line for one more, an expertise that he’s not taking evenly having now racked up 9 senior Liverpool appearances.

“I’m having fun with simply being round it, to be sincere. I believe anybody of my age is fortunate to be in and round it. I’m simply attempting to search for minutes after I can get them,” Doak instructed the membership’s web site.

“Three, 4 years in the past, I couldn’t have imagined being right here and being in and round it as a lot as I’ve been. Once you’re within the second, it’s nice and also you’re simply enjoying soccer, having fun with your self.

“After it if you take a step again, you realise, ‘I’m enjoying at one of many highest ranges you will get.’ It’s a dream come true for a younger lad.”

We will’t watch for the day he will get his title on the scoresheet – Thursday, maybe?

8. Don’t be shocked by extra rotation

Liverpool have used 25 totally different gamers throughout their 4 group video games up to now, with solely Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott beginning in all 4.

Elliott has performed each minute of the competitors and will likely be anticipated to come back again in after a cameo off the bench at Man Metropolis – and the identical will likely be anticipated of Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz.

One other alternative ought to come the way in which of Doak, affording Mo Salah a relaxation that he’ll seemingly not be anticipating, whereas each Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez might each discover themselves again within the lineup.

Predicted Reds XI: Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Quansah, Chambers; Endo, Elliott, Gravenberch; Doak, Gakpo, Diaz

9. A brand new ref for the Reds

The referee for this match is Urs Schnyder, from Switzerland. He has by no means beforehand overseen a recreation for Liverpool or LASK.

We’ve seen the pitfalls of UEFA guidelines with VAR final trip – plus what occurred to Newcastle at PSG this week – and for the Anfield conflict it is going to be operated by Marco Fritz, from Germany.