Iraola faces LASK with key absences and uncertainty over Van Dijk

Iraola faces a difficult situation as Liverpool travel to Austria to take on LASK in their first away game in the Champions League this season. Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai are all injured and did not make the trip. There is also uncertainty over Virgil van Dijk, although he is included in the 23-player squad.

The three absentees also missed Liverpool’s 3-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City on Sunday. Their absence is especially significant because, Iraola said, Cody, Alex and Dom are his team’s leading scorers this season. “We need other players to give us those numbers, and we trust the players who are available right now,” he said.

Iraola acknowledged that he did not know when the three injured players would return, while saying he expected them to be ready before long. None had trained with the group, he said, and the staff were assessing their situations day by day. Their availability for upcoming fixtures therefore remains uncertain.

Van Dijk’s condition presents another question ahead of the match. The defender complained of pain in his leg after the game against City, but his inclusion in the 23-player squad leaves open the possibility that he could feature.

Iraola also backed Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola, expressing 100% confidence in them despite criticism of their level since their arrivals in transfers worth more than £100 million. He said they had produced both good and poor performances, like everyone else, but insisted he was confident they would deliver strong displays.

The match in Linz is Liverpool’s second fixture in a run of six games in 18 days. Iraola confirmed that he would make changes to the lineup, citing the need to protect players’ fitness and manage minor discomfort. He also made Liverpool’s ambition in the Champions League clear: after winning their first match, the team wants a second victory and to win as many games as possible.