LASK Linz vs Liverpool Preview: Reds Aim to Bounce Back in Champions League

UEFA Champions League  -  LASK Linz VS Liverpool
Match Time:15-10-2026 00:45 Thứ năm (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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LASK Linz welcome Liverpool to the Raiffeisen Arena on October 14, 2026, for Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League league phase. The Austrian side are searching for their first European points after losing their opening fixture, while Liverpool will look to build on their 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid. However, the visitors arrive after a disappointing 3-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City and must contend with several important injury concerns.

Team Analysis
LASK Linz made an impressive start to their domestic campaign, winning seven consecutive matches, but their form has deteriorated in recent weeks. They lost 1-0 away to AEK Athens in their Champions League opener, followed by a 2-1 defeat against Sturm Graz and a 2-0 loss to Rapid Vienna. They now enter this fixture on a four-match winless run in competitive football.

Dietmar Kühbauer's side will need to improve their defensive organisation if they hope to challenge Liverpool. LASK have struggled against English opposition, failing to win any of their six previous meetings with Premier League clubs. Their home record against English teams has also been disappointing, making this a difficult test despite the advantage of playing in front of their own supporters.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are looking to recover quickly from their heavy defeat to Manchester City. Andoni Iraola's side had started their European campaign positively with a 2-1 comeback win over Atletico Madrid, demonstrating their ability to compete against high-level opposition. Liverpool also have an impressive historical record against Austrian teams, winning eight of their ten previous meetings and remaining unbeaten in competitive matches played in Austria.

Although Liverpool have greater individual quality, their recent inconsistency and limited squad depth could make this encounter more competitive than expected. The Reds will need to control possession and avoid giving LASK opportunities to exploit spaces on the counterattack.

Player Situation
LASK will be without Ramiz Harakate, who is recovering from a knee injury. Moses Usor is also a doubt after suffering a shoulder problem, while George Bello remains sidelined with a muscular injury. If Usor is unavailable, Sasa Kalajdzic and Christoph Lang could form the attacking partnership, supported by wing-backs Kasper Jorgensen and Yvan Dibango.

Liverpool face more significant selection concerns. Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to miss the match with a hamstring problem, while Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak remain unavailable or doubtful because of their respective fitness issues. Hugo Ekitike is still recovering from an Achilles injury. Liverpool's official update on October 13 confirmed that Gakpo, Isak and Szoboszlai had not returned to full group training.

Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola could play important roles in creating chances, while young forward Lewis Koumas may lead the line. Alexis Mac Allister is expected to partner Ryan Gravenberch in midfield, with Virgil van Dijk providing experience at the back.
Possible LASK Linz XI: Jungwirth; Mbuyamba, Alemao, Andrade; Jorgensen, Ljubicic, Bogarde, Horvath, Dibango; Kalajdzic, Lang.

Possible Liverpool XI: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Barcola, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Koumas.

Result Prediction
LASK's recent results suggest that they could struggle to contain Liverpool's attacking quality, particularly if the visitors establish control in midfield. Their poor record against English clubs is another concern ahead of this fixture.

Liverpool's injury problems may limit their attacking options, but they still possess enough technical quality and European experience to create scoring opportunities. A disciplined performance should allow the Reds to return to winning ways, although their depleted squad may prevent them from dominating throughout the match.

Sports Mole predicts a 3-1 victory for Liverpool, and the visitors remain favourites despite their recent domestic setback.

Prediction
LASK Linz 1-3 Liverpool