[26-27 UCL UEFA Champions League] LASK vs Liverpool Analysis & Preview Match kickoff: 14 October at 16:45 UTC
LASK and Liverpool face each other in matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League league phase at the Oberösterreich Arena in Linz on 14 October at 16:45 UTC. Hosting their first Champions League league phase home match, LASK need their first points, while Liverpool aim to maintain their momentum on the road after winning their opener. The decisive factors are Liverpool's midfield working through LASK's pressing and Liverpool finding a finishing touch without their primary forwards.
1. Match overview and current team form
LASK reached the main tournament by overturning a 0-3 away defeat against Celtic with a 5-1 home win after extra time in the play-offs. In their opening league phase match, they lost 0-1 away to AEK Athens. Ligaportal reported that tickets for the Oberösterreich Arena are sold out. While their motivation to secure their first points in front of home supporters is clear, they are winless in their last four competitive fixtures.
Liverpool are in their first season under manager Andoni Iraola. They defeated Atlético Madrid 2-1 in their Champions League opener and have recorded two wins and one draw in three away matches under Iraola. Their previous match ended in a 0-3 loss to Manchester City, but the score stood at 0-0 until Gravenberch was sent off in the 62nd minute. Liverpool's defence did not collapse across the full ninety minutes in that defeat. Turning chances into goals without their core forwards remains their primary test for this away trip.
Key facts Champions League Matchday 1: LASK 0-1 loss away to AEK Athens / Liverpool 2-1 home win against Atlético Madrid This season overall: LASK 6 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses in 11 matches / Liverpool 4 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss in 8 matches Previous match: LASK 0-2 home loss to Rapid Wien / Liverpool 0-3 home loss to Manchester City
LASK's recent form must be judged against the quality of their opposition. Across five competitive home fixtures this season, they took four wins and scored 14 goals, but they lost 0-2 to league leaders Rapid Wien in their most recent home match. Against Celtic at home, their high pressing generated numerous shots, but defensive issues and loose possession followed against AEK Athens and Rapid Wien. Against Rapid Wien, the opponents took control through passing after LASK's early forward press, and a low cross allowed down LASK's left led to the opening goal conceded. Manager Kühbauer noted after the match that the opponents showed better positioning and passing accuracy, adding that his team bypassed the midfield and sent the ball forward too quickly.
Liverpool retain a 4-2-3-1 setup under Iraola, relying on forward pressing and quick transitions. Away at AFC Bournemouth, they struggled in early midfield battles but kept a clean sheet through Alisson's saves, closing out a 1-0 win by protecting the centre of the penalty box after a second-half opening goal. Against Fulham, they registered 14 shots without scoring. Liverpool have shown they can absorb early pressure away from home, but evidence is thin that their chances will reliably turn into goals.
Personnel changes affect wide play and scoring output for both sides. LASK left wing-back Bello is ruled out. Replacement candidate Dibango has only 120 minutes of action this season, and deploying Flecker there brings attacking value while requiring him to cover wide defensive duties and tracking back. Usor, who wins balls high up the pitch to create shooting chances, is doubtful with a shoulder injury. Horvath and right wing-back Jørgensen are likely to start, allowing LASK to maintain their patterns of midfield progression and right-sided deliveries.
For Liverpool, Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai did not make the travelling squad. Gakpo's wide breakthroughs, which set up the winner against Bournemouth, are missing alongside Isak's box finishing, and Szoboszlai's long-range shooting and set-piece delivery are also unavailable. Forward option Koumas has shown pressing energy and work rate, but the Manchester City match marked his first Premier League start. Wirtz, Barcola, Ngumoha and Koumas have combined for zero goals in competitive matches this season. Van Dijk travelled despite calf soreness, and his availability will determine how Liverpool handle LASK's crosses and set pieces.
Both teams met in the 2023-24 Europa League, where Liverpool won 3-1 in Linz and 4-0 at home. Liverpool were managed by Jürgen Klopp then and featured a different forward line that included Gakpo. In Linz, LASK scored first from a worked corner before Liverpool turned the match around in the second half. The path to that opening goal remains a useful reference, but we cannot assume Liverpool will overturn a deficit today with their current forward options and bench.
The schedule gives neither team an extra rest advantage. Both sides played on 11 October local time and return after a three-day turnaround. Liverpool face upcoming trips to Brentford and a clash with Villarreal, while LASK continue with league and European commitments. The short turnaround could affect pressing intensity and second-half substitutions, but schedule alone does not give either side an edge.
2. Matchup breakdown
The early stages should see LASK's high press clash with Liverpool's deep build-up. Kühbauer pointed to a lack of aggression after the Rapid Wien defeat and warned his squad not to show excessive respect to Liverpool. If LASK recover possession in the attacking third as they did against Celtic at home, they can generate quick shots with backing from the home crowd. If Usor cannot play, they lose one player capable of finishing immediately after winning the ball.
The risks of an ineffective press appeared against Rapid Wien. After LASK pushed up, Rapid Wien bypassed the pressure through crisp positioning and passing, developing wide attacks as the match progressed. Liverpool also deploy a 4-2-3-1 where Gravenberch and Mac Allister connect from deep while Wirtz receives further forward. If LASK push their front two and wing-backs high, Bogarde carries extra responsibility shielding the back three. If Wirtz receives behind that line and turns, Liverpool can exploit runs from Koumas and wide runners. Packing the centre to contain that threat leaves LASK with fewer numbers to disrupt Liverpool's initial passes from deep.
Liverpool are likely to target LASK's left flank. Rapid Wien's opening goal began from a low cross on that side, where Bello struggled with physical discomfort and could not cover his zone. Bello is completely out of this match. Starting Dibango means living with a lack of match sharpness, while Flecker must take on defensive wing-back duties. If Liverpool win the ball on that wing or slip behind the wing-back, low crosses can create openings for Koumas and arriving runs from Wirtz. LASK's passing out from the back is another vulnerable area: against AEK Athens, an errant pass from Jungwirth led to a Bogarde foul, and the resulting free kick brought the winning goal.
Liverpool gaining an edge in central areas and out wide does not guarantee goals. Koumas can disrupt opposition build-up with his pressing, but he has little track record of matching Isak's box finishing. Wirtz and Barcola have yet to score this season. While Mac Allister offers long-range threat and set pieces can target van Dijk and Araújo, missing Szoboszlai alters their delivery options. This is why we must consider the possibility that Liverpool dominate possession while the match stays 0-0.
When LASK attack, the positioning of right wing-back Jørgensen and Liverpool left-back Kerkez will be decisive. Jørgensen repeatedly supplied Kalajdžić against Rapid Wien. When Kerkez joins the attack and LASK recover the ball, Jørgensen can push into space behind him to deliver crosses. Atlético Madrid scored their opening goal by playing through Liverpool's press and attacking behind Kerkez. If Jørgensen pushes high early and turns the ball over, Liverpool can counter into the channels outside LASK's three-man backline. Both full-backs advancing opens attacking routes for the opponent.
Long-range efforts from Horvath and Adeniran present another route to goal for LASK. Leading against Bournemouth, Iraola brought on extra midfielders to pack the central edge of the penalty box. That structure forced the opponent into speculative long-range attempts and deep crosses. LASK possess players suited for that approach in Horvath and Adeniran shooting from distance, supported by Jørgensen's deliveries. If Liverpool score first, adding defensive bodies will not eliminate LASK's chances to level. Van Dijk starting gives Liverpool a steadier presence against aerial deliveries from crosses and set pieces.
The choices made by both managers after the opening goal will dictate the margin. Iraola has closed out leads by reinforcing central areas. Kühbauer introduced attacking substitutes when trailing, but those changes did not yield goals against AEK Athens or Rapid Wien. If LASK chase the game for an extended stretch, they must guard the channels on either side of their back three against Liverpool's counters. If LASK strike first, Liverpool must mount a comeback with their current forward line and limited attacking substitutes. In Liverpool's previous comebacks, Isak was on the pitch.
3. Final assessment and conclusion
Liverpool are likely to hold more possession and create the higher volume of chances. If LASK press high, Wirtz can find space around Bogarde; if they drop off, Liverpool gain time to build from deep. LASK's left side without Bello provides an area Liverpool can repeatedly attack. Having struggled to reorganise defensively after pressing against Rapid Wien, LASK look unlikely to control Liverpool's midfield over 90 minutes.
The market favours Liverpool based on their squad depth and LASK's recent dip in form. We agree with the direction of the match, but we see a lower probability of Liverpool winning by a wide margin. Missing Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai weakens box finishing, wide dribbling, long-range shooting and set-piece delivery all at once. Iraola has protected central zones when ahead and has clear incentives to manage minutes ahead of a busy schedule. While Liverpool look to manage the game rather than push for more goals, LASK can threaten an equaliser through Horvath's shooting and Jørgensen's crossing.
Our predicted score is LASK 1-2 Liverpool or 0-1. The most plausible path is Liverpool establishing control in midfield, scoring first down LASK's left flank, and defending a one-goal margin as LASK push back. Whether LASK manage a goal depends on whether they convert the shots and crosses allowed once Liverpool pack their box. The core assumption of this outlook is Liverpool scoring first. If LASK take the lead through early pressing or a set piece, Liverpool's chase could stretch on with diminished finishing personnel, increasing the chances of a draw.
