Liverpool Travel to LASK Without Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai
Liverpool will travel to Austria for Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with LASK without Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo or Dominik Szoboszlai, leaving Andoni Iraola short of three major attacking options after Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester City.
Match facts
| Item | Figure or date | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Fixture | Wednesday | LASK v Liverpool at the Raiffeisen Arena |
| Travelling squad | 23 players | Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai were not selected |
| Liverpool league position | Ninth, 9 points | After six Premier League matches |
| Champions League opening results | Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid; LASK 0-1 AEK Athens | First group-stage fixtures |
The three players were also unavailable for the loss at the Etihad Stadium, with their problems emerging over the international break. Isak returned early because of a thigh issue, while Gakpo’s international involvement was cut short by an ankle complaint. Szoboszlai came back from Hungary duty with hamstring tightness.
None was able to demonstrate sufficient fitness before the flight to Austria. The timing is particularly awkward for Liverpool, who are entering a run of four matches in 10 days.
Iraola said Szoboszlai had arrived back from international football with tightness caused by an overload, and that Liverpool had attempted to manage his workload in training. The midfielder still felt a minor problem, however, and the manager believed the short turnaround made recoveries unlikely before the LASK fixture.
Goals missing from the forward line
Szoboszlai has made a strong start to the campaign, scoring three times in seven appearances in all competitions. Isak has four goals from seven matches after an underwhelming first season, while Gakpo has contributed two goals in six outings.
Those absences further reduce Liverpool’s options as they seek a response to their domestic setback. The defeat to City left the club ninth in the Premier League, nine points behind the leaders after only six rounds.
Europe has offered a more encouraging opening. Liverpool began their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid, whereas LASK arrive looking to recover from a 1-0 defeat to AEK Athens in their first match.
The Raiffeisen Arena contest therefore gives Liverpool an immediate opportunity to restore momentum, but they will do so without three players who have supplied nine goals between them this season.
