Liverpool could be without as many as 10 players for Wednesday night's Champions League clash against LASK in Austria, as they look to bounce back from their 3-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City.
The match marked Liverpool's return to action following the extended international break, with the build-up dominated by the verdict in City's financial charges case. The Reds put up a strong fight for much of the contest despite their injury problems and the need to reshuffle their starting line-up.
However, the absence of key players, including Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo, limited Liverpool's attacking threat in the final third. Their task became even more difficult when Ryan Gravenberch was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Key absentees for the trip to Austria
The Dutch midfielder had already been walking a disciplinary tightrope after receiving a contentious booking for appearing to step on Elliot Anderson's foot as the City midfielder went to ground. Erling Haaland capitalised on Liverpool's numerical disadvantage, opening the scoring just three minutes after Gravenberch's dismissal.
Jeremy Doku then doubled City's advantage with a stunning curling effort before Rayan Cherki added a third to seal a convincing victory for Pep Guardiola's side.
Attention now turns to the Champions League, with Liverpool travelling to Austria on Tuesday afternoon knowing they will remain without long-term injury absentees Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, who are all continuing their respective recoveries. However, Alexander Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai will also miss out after being unavailable for the defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
Iraola provides update on injured trio
Isak sustained a thigh injury while representing Sweden during the recent international break, while Gakpo picked up an ankle problem on international duty with the Netherlands. Szoboszlai, meanwhile, is struggling with a hamstring issue.
Although Iraola suggested none of the three injuries was particularly serious, he admitted it remained unclear when the players would be available again.
"They are not bad but it's difficult to tell right now (when they will be back)," Iraola said at his press conference. "We are taking it day to day. Really the three of them, I don't know if it's going to be Brentford or Villarreal."
Squad news and LASK concerns
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk also reported a painful knock to his calf following Sunday's defeat, but the defender has been included in the 23-man travelling squad.
Academy prospects Jayden Danns, Wellity Lucky and Josh Sonni-Lambie have also been called up, with Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa unavailable for selection in Europe. Both players returned to the matchday squad at the weekend following injury, but neither is registered for the Champions League.
As a result, Jayden Danns, James McConnell and Luke Chambers have been added to the squad. Danns and McConnell last featured in the Champions League for Liverpool when they started the 3-2 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in January 2025.
Chambers, meanwhile, last played in European competition during the Reds' 2-1 Europa League loss to Union Saint-Gilloise in December 2023. Centre-back Wellity Lucky and forward Josh Sonni-Lambie have both previously represented Liverpool in the UEFA Youth League.
Lucky has also made a senior appearance for the club, featuring in last season's League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.
As for the hosts, winger Moses Usor is a major doubt for the match after suffering a shoulder injury against Rapid Vienna.
"With Mo, it’s the shoulder joint that is a bit injured. I hope it won’t take too long," LASK boss Dietmar Kuhbauer said.
George Bello, who also picked up an injury against Vienna, has been ruled out. "George appears to have a muscle injury. He definitely won’t be available on Wednesday," Kuhbauer confirmed.
Liverpool travelling squad: Alisson, Gomez, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez, Wirtz, Mac Allister, Tsimikas, Munoz, Mamardashvili, Woodman, Barcola, Frimpong, Araujo, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Chambers, McConnell, Koumas, Ngumoha, Danns, Sonni-Lambie, Lucky.
