Liverpool travel to Austria to face LASK in the Champions League on Wednesday evening hoping to recover from their heavy defeat to Manchester City, but Andoni Iraola's squad is severely depleted by injuries and ineligibility.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak all missed the loss to City. While Iraola played down concerns about the severity of the Hungarian's hamstring injury, he conceded the trio were unlikely to return in time for the trip to Austria.
Liverpool are already without long-term absentees Hugo Ekitke, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, though the Italian is closing in on a return to team training after over a year on the sidelines with an ACL injury.
Chiesa and Endo ineligible
The Reds' options will be depleted further in Austria with both Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo ineligible for the game after not being selected in Liverpool's Champions League squad.
With Iraola's ranks down to the bare bones, the ECHO looks at the changes the Basque could make.
Defensive adjustments
Jeremy Jacquet shook off a minor hamstring injury to start against Manchester City and completed 88 minutes as Liverpool fell to a 3-0 defeat. But with the match the first of nine in four weeks, the France international will need to be managed carefully.
He only returned from a six-month lay-off at the end of pre-season and has been a virtual ever-present for the Reds ever since. If Iraola looks to protect Jacquet's legs, Joe Gomez could come in at centre-back. Alternatively, Jeremie Frimpong could be handed a recall, with Ronald Araujo moving central. Kostas Tsimikas is an alternative to Milos Kerkez at left-back.
Midfield options
Ryan Gravenberch will surely start in Austria following his red card against Manchester City, with the Dutchman suspended for Liverpool's subsequent Premier League return away at Brentford next weekend.
Alexis Mac Allister would be expected to partner the Dutchman, but Trey Nyoni is also an option to be handed a first Champions League start ahead of a potential full Premier League debut against the Bees in the absence of Gravenberch. He could start in place of Mac Allister, or replace the out-of-form Florian Wirtz following a disappointing performance against Manchester City. If Szoboszlai does not recover, James McConnell would be the Reds' only other senior midfield option.
Attack reshuffle
With Isak and Gakpo not expected to return and Chiesa ineligible, Lewis Koumas could retain his place upfront against LASK following a promising full Premier League debut against Manchester City. Alternatively, Wirtz is an option as a false nine or Bradley Barcola could line up through the middle.
Rio Ngumoha will be hopeful of earning a recall, but Victor Munoz will fancy his chances of keeping his place following a lively showing against Enzo Maresca's side. Jayden Danns would be the only other available recognised option to play upfront, with in-form Under-21s striker Will Wright not yet eligible for a place on List B.
