Liverpool Predicted Line-Up vs LASK: Wirtz Starts, £34m Star Victor Muñoz In

Liverpool travel to Raiffeisen Arena to face LASK in the Champions League tonight, with Andoni Iraola missing six first-team players. Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak and Dominik Szoboszlai are sidelined, while Lewis Koumas leads the line and £34m-rated Victor Muñoz starts on the flank.

  • Fixture: LASK vs Liverpool, Champions League
  • Venue: Raiffeisen Arena, Austria
  • Competition: Champions League league phase
  • Liverpool form: 3-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend; won opening CL tie vs Atlético Madrid
  • LASK form: Winless in four across all competitions; lost opening CL fixture to AEK Athens
  • Key absentees: Gakpo, Isak, Szoboszlai, Bradley, Ekitike, Leoni

Predicted line-ups

Liverpool (4-3-3)

Starting XI: Alisson Becker; Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil Van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz; Bradley Barcola, Lewis Koumas, Victor Muñoz

Substitutes: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Kostas Tsimikas, Rio Ngumoha

LASK

LASK's starting XI was not detailed in the source. They enter the match winless in their last four across all competitions.

Selection notes

Alisson Becker keeps his place in goal, with Giorgi Mamardashvili on the bench. Virgil Van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet form the centre-back pairing. Ronald Araujo continues at right-back and Milos Kerkez at left-back, leaving Jeremie Frimpong and Kostas Tsimikas among the substitutes.

Ryan Gravenberch impressed against Manchester City but was sent off; he is expected to anchor midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister. Florian Wirtz retains the creative role despite average form, with Bradley Barcola and Victor Muñoz on the flanks. With Isak and Ekitike absent, Lewis Koumas leads the attack and Rio Ngumoha is a substitute option.

Injury and availability

Liverpool are without Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak and Dominik Szoboszlai due to respective fitness problems. Long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined. Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo are not registered for the Champions League and are therefore unavailable.

Why Iraola hands Koumas the No 9 role and keeps Wirtz central

The absences of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike strip Liverpool of their two recognised senior strikers, forcing Iraola into a makeshift front line. Lewis Koumas is the logical beneficiary: he offers movement in behind and allows the wide players to attack the box rather than hold width. It is a gamble on youth, but the alternatives are thinner still.

Florian Wirtz's retention is the more interesting call. His performances this season have been average, yet with Dominik Szoboszlai out, Iraola has no other natural creator. Wirtz will operate between LASK's midfield and defence, receiving from Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, who must cover the defensive transitions that Gravenberch's red card against City exposed.

The wide pairing of Bradley Barcola and Victor Muñoz suggests Liverpool will attack early and often. Muñoz, valued at around £34m by Transfermarkt, is a direct runner, while Barcola prefers to cut inside. Against a LASK side winless in four and beaten by AEK Athens in their opener, Liverpool's front three should find space — provided the midfield does not leave Virgil Van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet exposed on the counter.

Talking points

  • Is throwing Lewis Koumas into a Champions League away night too much for a young striker, or is it the making of him?
  • Ryan Gravenberch was sent off against Manchester City. Should he be trusted in the holding role again so soon?
  • Florian Wirtz's form is average — does Iraola have any alternative without Dominik Szoboszlai?
  • With three senior attackers out, is Liverpool's squad depth already a crisis after six Premier League games and nine points?

What happens next

Liverpool need a win at Raiffeisen Arena to build on their opening Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid and steady a season that has produced nine points from six Premier League matches. A defeat to a LASK side winless in four would intensify scrutiny on Iraola before the domestic schedule resumes.

Frequently asked questions

Is Florian Wirtz starting for Liverpool vs LASK tonight?

Yes. The predicted line-up includes Florian Wirtz in the creative midfield position despite his average performances this season.

Who is Liverpool's striker against LASK with Isak and Ekitike out?

Lewis Koumas is expected to lead the line, with Rio Ngumoha a substitute option, because Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike are unavailable.

Why are Chiesa and Endo not in Liverpool's Champions League squad?

Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo have not been registered to play in the Champions League, so they are not available for this game.

Filed under: Predicted Lineups | LA Premier League Home