The visitors can take out their frustration after an EPL slip-up: LASK vs Liverpool prediction
The second matchday fixture of the Champions League league phase between LASK and Liverpool will take place on Wednesday in Linz at the “Raiffeisen Arena”. The Austrian club opened its campaign with a 0-1 defeat by AEK, while the English side beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 at home.
LASK: the team has hit a crisis after a bright start
LASK made an excellent start to the season, winning seven of its first eight matches, but its results then deteriorated sharply. In their last four competitive games, the Austrians have suffered three defeats and drawn once, while after the international break they lost 0-2 to Rapid.
The situation is further complicated by personnel problems. George Bello and Moses Usor picked up injuries in the last match, Ramiz Harakate has been sidelined for a long time, while Samuel Adeniran is only just returning from a fractured cheekbone. As a result, the main attacking burden will once again fall on Sasa Kalajdzic and Christoph Lang.
Liverpool: the first setback does not change their status as favorites
Andoni Iraola’s team suffered its first defeat of the season, losing to Manchester City after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off. Before that, Liverpool had gone seven matches unbeaten, including a 2-1 victory over Atlético Madrid in the opening Champions League round.
The Merseysiders have some attacking absences: Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak remain doubts, while Hugo Ekitike is unavailable. However, even with these issues, the squad should have enough depth to control a meeting with an opponent whose quality of play has dropped noticeably.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- LASK have failed to win any of their last four competitive matches.
- Liverpool have won eight of their ten matches against Austrian clubs in European competition.
- In the 2023/24 season, Liverpool beat LASK twice by an aggregate score of 7-1.
The class gap should tell: LASK vs Liverpool prediction
LASK can afford to play more boldly at home than away, but their current form and personnel problems severely limit the hosts’ options. Against an opponent of this level, defensive mistakes can turn into goals conceded in the blink of an eye.
Liverpool should be especially motivated after the defeat by Manchester City, while their record against Austrian clubs only underlines the difference in class. Even without their strongest lineup, the visitors possess enough quality to secure a convincing victory.
