Liverpool hasn’t played in the UEFA Europa League for seven years, but the club has clearly improved since losing the 2010 championship game against Sevilla. Although Virgil van Dijk’s comments to TNT Sports suggest otherwise, many fans see the club’s decision to play in Europe’s second division as a step down.
Liverpool’s identity as a team would be put to the test against a LASK team that hasn’t lost in over a month. LASK is now third in Austria’s domestic league, so they would be confident in their prospects against a depleted Klopp outfit.
Havel, Zulj, and Ljubicic; Renner, Horvath, Jovicic, and Flecker; Lawal, Luckeneder, and Andrade;
End, Gravenberch, Elliott; Dáz, Néz, Doak; Kelleher; Tsimikas; Konaté; van Dijk; Bajcetic;
After Liverpool lost control from a corner, Zulj had the first real opportunity of the game. The Liverpool attack began when the ball was sent out to Elliot, whose first touch was terrible. The ball would eventually make its way into the penalty area, where Zulj’s effort was deflected by Virgil van Dijk for a corner kick.
Immediately after the corner was taken, Horvath sent a cross to the far post. With only one touch, Flecker was able to move the ball out from under Kelleher’s foot and into the corner of the goal on the half volley.
Liverpool didn’t fold under LASK’s early lead, as Nez headed on goal from an Elliot cross. Liverpool’s top scorer was left disappointed after his powerful shot went wide of the post.
Over the following twenty minutes, chances would be few until Liverpool floated in a corner. Van Dijk would then send a header back into the box, where Nez would be waiting, but the Uruguayan’s close-range attempt would be blocked.
Liverpool were awarded a penalty only 10 minutes after the resumption of play. Dáz’s shot was already off the mark when an Austrian defender tripped him in the box, but the referee awarded a penalty kick, which Néz scored to tie the game.
Daz scored Liverpool’s second goal in the 63rd minute as the Reds ratcheted up the pressure. With a wonderful first touch, Konaté sent a long ball to Nez, who held it up for Elliot. The quick Liverpool genius then pushed the ball forward, finding Gravenberch on the left wing, who zipped the ball across the six-yard box for the clinical Colombian, who couldn’t miss.
After being substituted in with three minutes remaining, Salah would seal the win for Liverpool. Nez did well to gain possession on the edge of the box and then provide a through ball to the Egyptian King, who could have squared the ball or poked it between Lawal’s knees, but instead opted for the latter.
Once again, Liverpool trailed at the half but rallied to put up a strong display against weaker competition. On October 5th, LASK will play in Toulouse, while Jurgen Klopp’s Royale Union Saint-Gilloise will be in Liverpool.
