The match of the year for LASK
Three Austrian teams are represented in an international group stage this season, two of them in the Europa League. Right at the start of the group stage, an absolute treat awaits the fans in Upper Austria. A duel between David and Goliath, because in the match between LASK and Liverpool, a bet on the visitors only brings betting odds over 1.30.
Jürgen Klopp’s Reds will have to make do with the Europa League for the first time since 2015/16 and should the competition be taken seriously, the English side are a hot contender to feature at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on May 22. Group E is completed by French representatives FC Toulouse and Belgian club Union Saint Gilloise. A very difficult group for the Austrians, who basically can only surprise. The Sageder eleven will also display an attacking style internationally and will not be awestruck. In this respect, the prediction of many goals at LASK vs. Liverpool seems absolutely obvious.
The second Austrian representative in the UEFA Europa League is vice-champion SK Sturm Graz. The Blackies have got a similarly difficult group and also start on Thursday against Sporting Lisbon.
LASK – Statistics & current form
LASK’s convincing preparation was a vindication for club officials who made a surprising coaching change in the summer. The clearly more offensive orientation caused a furore and in some places early euphoria. However, this was immediately shattered with a disappointing start to the domestic championship. Only one win from four league games was by no means enough to meet the expectations of the Upper Austrians, who also struggled mightily in the Europa League qualifiers against no-name Zrinjski Mostar.
The automatisms are starting to take effect
Neo coach Thomas Sageder dampened expectations early on and spoke of a process. A phrase that is very often used in the case of disappointment, but LASK has actually shown in recent weeks that the team is getting better from day to day and from game to game. In the meantime, the first interim conclusion for the 2023/24 season is already much more positive, because last weekend they already managed to win the league for the third time in a row. With 14 points, LASK are now in third place in the table and have been unbeaten in seven league games.
The self-confidence for the self-proclaimed “game of the year” is definitely right. And the players have already set the course, because LASK will not want to hide against the sheer superiority of the Reds. LASK wants to act courageously and press hard, which requires a lot of willingness to run. That is also why LASK icon Peter Michorl is on the sidelines and was not even nominated for the EL squad. He is seen as a victim of the new philosophy, but in the meantime the automatisms are starting to take effect and this proves the people in charge right.
The chance of a surprise is slim, a small glimmer of hope is, apart from the good form, the strong international record. The Upper Austrians have lost only one of their last 16 international matches (eleven wins, four draws). However, an overpowering opponent like the Reds were not among them and points are not to be expected. However, due to the bold style of play, betting on both teams to score in LASK vs. Liverpool can be very interesting.
Predicted line-up of LASK:
LASK (Expected line-up) 3-4-3
Liverpool – Statistics & current form
It was already mentioned in the introduction that the last time the English traditional club was represented in the Europa League was in the 2015/16 season, when they reached the final. However, the English did not present themselves as a strong away team in the second most important competition. Only four of the last 21 EL games away from home ended with a win.
The central question on Thursday evening will certainly be which player material Jürgen Klopp will send into the race. The times of complete B-teams, which are also filled up with youth players, are long gone in the Europa League. But it is just as unlikely that Mohamed Salah will play from the start. The schedule hardly allows time for regeneration, which makes rotation all the more important. However, the Reds squad has enough width to offer.
13 points out of a possible 15 in the league
Enough self-confidence not only the host from the steel city Linz, but definitely also the Reds. Already in the finish of last season, Klopp’s eleven acted much more stable and successful again. Although a number of desired players did not find their way to Anfield Road in the transfer summer, the season has been extremely positive so far. 13 points out of a possible 15 make for a very good interim result. Liverpool showed great morale when they turned around the top game against Newcastle when they were shorthanded, and last weekend the Klopp team did not let themselves be rattled by a deficit against Wolves.
What is striking is the fact that the defence continues to make one mistake too many. In 2021/22, the Reds were still able to complete 55 per cent of their league games to nil; last year, that figure was only 37 per cent. And in the first five games of the current season, Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker conceded one goal in each of four matches. The quality of keeping a clean sheet has been lost in recent years.
On Thursday night, Liverpool will certainly operate in an unusual formation due to one rotation or another. This should significantly increase the likelihood of a LASK goal, making the odds on both teams scoring in the LASK vs. Liverpool match even more lucrative.
Predicted Liverpool line-up:
FC Liverpool (Expected line-up) 4-3-3
LASK – Liverpool Direct comparison / H2H balance
Thursday night will be the first time the two teams will face each other. LASK have played four games against Premier League teams in club history so far (Tottenham and Manchester United) and have only managed a single draw. Liverpool have eight matches against Austrian teams in their database, of which the Reds have won six. Only GAK could celebrate a victory against the traditional English club in 2004.
LASK – Liverpool Tip
At the very beginning of the group stage, the absolute highlight awaits the Sageder team, who can look forward to a sold-out stadium. The home side are without a chance and want to take advantage of this. Regardless of the player personnel on the pitch, a (clear) victory is expected from Liverpool. We are also in good spirits that this will happen and see the odds for betting HT/FT 2/2 on LASK vs. Liverpool as a good option.
The favourite role is undisputed and the probability that the guest will prevail in this match is also very high. However, we have already indicated several times that we expect LASK not to act like a rabbit in front of a snake, but to want to play themselves. This also corresponds to the nature of Thomas Sageder’s philosophy and accordingly, the best betting option for LASK vs. Liverpool is considered to be the prediction “Victory Liverpool & both teams score”.
