Iraola Rotates Liverpool for LASK Trip as Injuries Mount

Liverpool have reshuffled their side for Wednesday’s Champions League visit to LASK, with manager Iraola balancing a heavy run of fixtures against a growing injury list. The Reds opened their league-phase campaign by beating Atletico Madrid at Anfield and now have the chance to make it two European wins in succession.

Key takeaways

• Liverpool are in the middle of nine matches across 28 days, including four in a 10-day spell.
• Dominik Szoboszlai misses out with a hamstring problem.
• Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo remain unavailable after failing to overcome international-break injuries.
• Trey Nyoni starts in midfield with Ryan Gravenberch, while Lewis Koumas keeps his place in attack.
• Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo cannot feature because neither was included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad.

Freshness a priority during packed schedule

Iraola has placed player recovery at the centre of Liverpool’s preparations as the club moves through one of its most demanding periods of the season. With limited opportunities for full training sessions, much of the work has been conducted through video analysis and tactical briefings.

“There is not much time to train,” Iraola said before the match. “A lot of the preparation now is done with video and tactical boards, with only a little time on the pitch.

“You have to put the players’ freshness first. We are playing four games in 10 days, so it is about keeping their legs and energy for the matches.”

The need to rotate has been intensified by recent absences. Szoboszlai’s hamstring issue adds to an already reduced forward line, with Isak and Gakpo still not ready after picking up knocks while away with their national teams. Both attackers were also absent when Liverpool lost 3-0 to Manchester City on Sunday.

Nyoni and Koumas handed opportunities

Liverpool’s changes include a midfield opening for Nyoni, who partners Gravenberch in the double pivot. Chiesa and Endo are not options for the competition after being left out of the Champions League registration group.

Koumas continues up front, supported by summer arrival Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz and Ngumoha. Alisson starts in goal behind a back four of Jeremie Frimpong, Ronald Araujo, Jacquet and Kostas Tsimikas.

LASK line up with Jungwirth in goal; Jorgensen, Mbuyamba, Alemao, Andrade and Dibango in defence; Danek, Borgarde and Schopf in midfield; and Lang alongside Adeniran in attack.

Liverpool’s starting XI is: Alisson; Frimpong, Araujo, Jacquet, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Nyoni; Barcola, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Koumas.