Liverpool Injury Update: Szoboszlai, Gakpo and Isak Miss LASK Clash
Liverpool head to Austria without three senior attackers and that matters. Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak will all miss the Champions League meeting with LASK, leaving Andoni Iraola short of proven quality again.
The timing is poor. Liverpool are trying to build on their 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the league phase, yet they arrive off the back of a damaging 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield. Results matter, form matters, and so does availability. Right now, Liverpool are light in key areas.
Szoboszlai, Gakpo and Isak latest
Szoboszlai was the surprise absentee at the weekend after suffering a tight hamstring during the international break. Gakpo is dealing with an ankle problem, while Isak has a thigh issue. None of the three will travel.
Iraola was direct enough when asked for an update. “They are not bad but it’s difficult to tell right now [when they will be back],” the Spaniard said on Tuesday. He added, “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.”
LASK test comes at awkward time
With Hugo Ekitike already sidelined by an Achilles problem, Liverpool’s attacking options look stretched. Lewis Koumas led the line against City, with Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz operating from wide areas. There is talent there, but also inexperience, and that showed in patches at Anfield.
LASK away is not the biggest fixture on Liverpool’s schedule, but it is one they need to handle properly. European group-stage points are valuable, rotation has limits, and momentum can disappear quickly when injuries pile up.
Brentford and Villarreal now in focus
The realistic target for the missing trio looks to be Brentford away or the home match against Villarreal. After that, the calendar stays busy, with Brighton and Chelsea also on the horizon.
Liverpool do not need panic. They do need bodies back. For now, the situation is simple enough, the squad is stretched, the schedule is unforgiving, and Iraola has little choice but to wait.
