Liverpool have the highest UEFA coefficient of any side in the Europa League this season. Thus, you have to consider them the favorite to win it all, and it all begins with a trip to LASK Linz on Thursday night. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has said in media opps that he’s going to go with a strong side in this competition. That is no surprise, given his reputation for intensity.
So with that in mind, let’s predict a very solid and formidable starting lineup for this UEL group stage clash
Liverpool FC at LASK Linz FYIs
Kickoff: Thurs. Sept. 21, 5:45pm, Waldstadion, Raiffeisen Arena, Pasching, Austria
Competition: UEFA Europa League Group E
Liverpool Preview Content: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Fun Fact II: Liverpool will debut their new 3rd kit in this one. Take a look below:
Confirmed: Liverpool will wear the third kit for the first time on Thursday against LASK pic.twitter.com/TmiCODZQW3
— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) September 18, 2023
We swapped Alisson out, but we do realize that perhaps he might get the nod here. Otherwise, we’re going with a very strong team. Team captain Virgil van Dijk, fresh off a two match ban domestically, comes back into the side. He wasn’t suspended for UEFA competition anyway, and he’ll be eligible again for the next league fixture on the weekend, but we think he comes back into action here after having been forced to take a rest.
Liverpool FC Starting XI Prediction at LASK Linz
Caoimhin Kelleher; Joe Gomez, Jarel Quansah, Virgil van Dijk, Kostas Tsimikas; Stefan Bajcetic, Harvey Elliot, Ryan Gravenberch; Ben Doak, Darwin Nuñez, Luis Diaz.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.