Liverpool’s Champions League campaign has barely begun, but the Reds are already fighting a battle against injury that threatens to complicate their early-season plans. Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai are all major doubts for Wednesday’s match against LASK, while the long-term absences of Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitiké add to a growing availability problem. The injury list leaves Andoni Iraola with limited options for a demanding trip to Austria, where tactical flexibility will be critical.
The immediate fallout from Liverpool’s Premier League return—where a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City exposed their fragility—has only intensified the pressure. Isak (thigh) and Gakpo (ankle) were both absent for that defeat, while Szoboszlai’s hamstring tightness, sustained on international duty, makes him unlikely to feature at the Raiffeisen Arena. Iraola said the short turnaround makes it difficult for any of the three to recover in time.
The absence of those players—particularly Szoboszlai, whose creativity and leadership are difficult to replace—means Liverpool may have to rely on rotation. Federico Chiesa is among those expected to feature, while Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni are options in a squad that has been stretched by international commitments and a congested fixture list.
Iraola’s challenge is compounded by the fact that the injury list extends beyond the immediate Champions League clash. Bradley remains out after knee surgery, Leoni is recovering from an ACL injury, and Ekitiké has been sidelined since rupturing his Achilles against Paris Saint-Germain in April.
Ryan Gravenberch’s availability offers a rare positive. His red card against Manchester City applies only to domestic competition, meaning the suspension does not carry into the Champions League and he is free to feature against LASK.
Without Szoboszlai’s presence, Liverpool’s midfield may lack its usual dynamism, potentially forcing Gravenberch into a more prominent creative role alongside Alexis Mac Allister. Florian Wirtz is expected to provide the main creative outlet, with Chiesa and Ngumoha offering width and attacking support.
The implications stretch beyond Wednesday’s match. Liverpool face four games in 10 days, with Iraola acknowledging that the congested schedule makes recovery difficult for those carrying knocks. The manager has already indicated that Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai are unlikely to be risked unless they are fully fit.
Liverpool’s ability to compete in both the Premier League and Champions League will depend on how effectively they manage this period. The absence of key players in Europe could test their depth, but the club’s immediate focus is on securing a response in Austria after Sunday’s defeat.
The question now is whether Liverpool can weather this storm—or whether the injury concerns surrounding Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai will force Iraola to rotate more heavily in the coming weeks. For now, the LASK fixture represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the players available to step up.
