LASK vs Liverpool: Can LASK Stop Liverpool's European Dominance?
by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo
The Austrian outfit faces a stern test in their bid for a first UCL triumph
Disappointment was visible on the faces of LASK when they failed to secure a positive result in their return to Europe's top-tier competition in over 60 years. The Austrian side faced AEK Athens in the opening match of the UEFA Champions League - League Phase and suffered a slender 1-0 defeat on the road.
They are currently one of ten teams in the league phase that have yet to register a point. This has placed them in 27th place, where they are just one measly point away from the top 24, suggesting it's still early for them to drop the ball.
Their opening setback to Greek opponents AEK Athens marked their ninth match without a win in a UEFA competition.
Entering this clash, the Black and Whites are out to secure a positive outcome and reignite their confidence. However, standing in their way is a side that has repeatedly found a way to get the better of them. They suffered consecutive defeats against Liverpool in the group stages of the UEFA Europa League three years ago.
Also, confidence should be low for Dietmar Kühbauer's men, who couldn't assert their dominance over SK Rapid on MD8 of the Austrian Bundesliga over the weekend. The team succumbed to a convincing 2-0 home defeat, marking their fourth competitive match without a win.
The Raiffeisen Arena has, however, been their greatest source of comfort amid inconsistent form. Only SK Rapid has managed to get the better of them in 12 outings (W8, D3). They will want to capitalise on this advantage and accomplish the impossible by becoming the first Austrian team to beat an English team in European competition since 1991.
The Reds have shown nothing but dominance against Austrian opposition
Liverpool are not having the best time of their lives yet again in the Premier League as the team sits in ninth place in the league standings with nine points accumulated from their first six games. The distance between them and the top four is hindered by a one-point deficit.
Over the weekend, a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City ended a five-match unbeaten run in the league for head coach Andoni Iraola, a result he hopes won't affect their performance in this upcoming encounter.
It has been a positive start to the UEFA Champions League - League Phase, securing a hard-fought 2-1 over Atletico Madrid. That was their 25th win in 29 group/league phase encounters, highlighting their dominant trait in this competition.
The Reds are aiming to make it two wins on the bounce against an Austrian side that English opposition has enjoyed facing in past years in European competition. From the 34 matches played, the pattern is difficult to ignore, as English sides have won 27 of those encounters.
So far, Liverpool has won both matches against LASK in European competition. The question now is: can they make it three straight wins? Check out what our experts have to say in our LASK vs Liverpool prediction for more insights into the game.
Another important detail worth mentioning is that Liverpool have won eight of their last ten meetings against Austrian opposition. Their last meeting against a team from this bracket in the UEFA Champions League was in December 2019.
Salzburg were their opponent and they won 2-0 with Naby Keita and Mohamed Salah getting on the scoresheet. Additionally, it was their second consecutive win against the same opponent in the competition.
