Liverpool can safe their place within the Europa League spherical of 16 on Thursday night time when LASK go to Anfield.
For that to occur, the Reds should higher Toulouse’s matchday 5 end result, with the French outfit internet hosting Union Saint-Galloise.
Jurgen Klopp’s aspect are nonetheless in pole place to keep away from the additional two video games that include ending second and coming into the knockout play-off spherical. They’re two factors forward of Toulouse whereas 4 factors from their remaining two fixtures will verify their standing as group winners.
Klopp has used this competitors as a chance to rotate his aspect and provides key first-team stars an opportunity to relaxation. This has opened up the door for a number of children, together with Ben Doak, Jarell Quansah and Harvey Elliott to shine.
Associated
Klopp should now bench 3/10 Liverpool ace for his “unbelievable” participant
The Reds should unleash this press-resistant machine going ahead.
With the above trio anticipated to be three of ten modifications from the current draw with Manchester Metropolis, here is what a predicted Liverpool XI may appear to be tomorrow night…
1
GK – Caoimhin Kelleher
Kelleher has performed in three of Liverpool’s 4 Europa League outings this time period and though he hasn’t painted himself within the brightest of lights, conceding 5 objectives, his place within the staff in opposition to LASK is solidified.
First-choice goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, picked up a hamstring harm within the draw in opposition to Man Metropolis, so the 25-year-old should now impress in Europe to fill Klopp with confidence transferring ahead, particularly if the Brazilian is out for a prolonged interval.
2
RB – Joe Gomez
Etihad hero Trent Alexander-Arnold shall be wrapped up in cotton wool on Thursday which implies Joe Gomez ought to get the nod at right-back. The Englishman has featured throughout all 4 matches on this competitors and captained the aspect of their 3-2 defeat in opposition to Toulouse final day out.
As soon as dubbed by Klopp as a “sensational footballer”, Gomez has been a dependable back-up this time period and while he cannot provide the identical attacking risk to Trent, he does present steeliness defensively having made 2.5 tackles per recreation and gained 63% of his duels in Europe.
3
CB – Ibrahima Konate
A person-mountain of a centre-back, who has suffered a number of spells on the sideline this time period, Ibrahima Konate has an opportunity to indicate Klopp he is a greater possibility than Joel Matip on the coronary heart of the Liverpool defence.
Hailed by defensive accomplice Virgil van Dijk as “unimaginable”, the Frenchman is held in excessive regard at Anfield and contemplating he ranks within the prime 15% in opposition to his positional friends for tackles per 90 throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues prior to now 12 months, it’s clear to see why these near him have waxed lyrical about his skills.
4
CB – Jarell Quansah
Quansah has made a seamless transition into the Liverpool first-team this time period and the 20-year-old has impressed together with his distinctive ball-playing talents and defensive attributes.
Lauded as “completely phenomenal” by fellow academy graduate, Alexander-Arnold, the centre-back has starred throughout his three appearances in Europe, registering a powerful 91% cross completion and he is solely been dribbled previous 0.3 instances per recreation. If he continues to carry out at a excessive, the world is Quansah’s oyster.
5
LB – Kostas Tsimikas
Left-back stalwart Andrew Robertson is predicted to return from his shoulder harm in January 2024 however till then, Kostas Tsimikas will proceed to deputize for the Scot on the left aspect of defence – appearing as the one participant to maintain his place from the journey to the Etihad.
The Greek worldwide is unable to match Robertson’s high quality down the left flank having but to create a giant probability and has solely registered 0.7 key passes per recreation throughout three matches in Europe.
6
CM – Wataru Endo
Wataru Endo has but to actually impress since arriving from Stuttgart in the summertime, however he’ll get one other probability to exhibit his qualities on Thursday night time.
The Japanese worldwide was anticipated to turn out to be the ball-winning machine to exchange Fabinho, nonetheless, Alexis Mac Allister has been most popular by Klopp in that place. Having made 4 appearances on this competitors, it is unlikely he’ll get dropped in opposition to LASK.
7
CM – Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch was beginning to come into his personal in a Liverpool shirt, particularly within the Europa League, having provided an help and scored twice throughout his first three matches.
The 21-year-old had since suffered a minor knock, which meant he did not begin on Saturday, nonetheless, the silky Dutchman has averaged the very best Sofascore ranking of any Reds participant on this competitors (7.97), made probably the most key passes per recreation (3) and created probably the most huge possibilities (2).
8
CM – Harvey Elliott
Harvey Elliott has been dubbed as “distinctive” by Jamie Carragher for his performances this time period and though he hasn’t been awarded the requisite recreation time to go together with that reward, one other audition awaits on Thursday night time.
The midfield metronome, who has began in all 4 Europa League matches, has terrorised opposition defenders together with his large low centre of gravity. He’s able to gliding previous his opponents with ease, finishing 75% of his tried dribbles on this competitors.
9
RW – Ben Doak
One of the crucial thrilling prospects to be unleashed from the Liverpool academy lately, Ben Doak is one in every of a number of blessings in disguise to come back from Thursday jaunts to rogue locations.
A direct and pacey winger, who has been described by van Dijk as a “Tasmanian satan” for a way he strikes worry into opposition defenders, Doak’s precocious skills have rewarded him with two appearances in Europe and a 3rd is wanting seemingly.
10
LW – Luis Diaz
For what Luis Diaz has needed to undergo off the sector this time period following the kidnapping of his father – who has now been launched – it’s outstanding that he has nonetheless managed to deal with delivering glorious performances on the pitch.
Dubbed by Klopp as a “particular” expertise, Diaz scored and assisted within the return fixture in opposition to LASK and shall be trying to terrorise his Austrian opponents as soon as extra.
11
ST – Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo is the one anticipated to spearhead the Liverpool assault. After witnessing his minutes get decreased this season, the Dutch dynamo has the prospect to exhibit his skills in Europe and present the German why he deserves to be picked over Diogo Jota or Darwin Nunez.
Gakpo has solely posted 4 objectives in 15 appearances this time period, with two of these strikes coming in Carabao Cup victories over Leicester Metropolis and Bournemouth.
Liverpool predicted lineup in full vs LASK: GK – Kelleher; RB – Gomez, CB – Konate, CB – Quansah, LB – Tsimikas; CDM – Endo, CM – Gravenberch, CM – Elliott; RW – Doak, LW – Diaz, ST – Gakpo
