5 talking points as Liverpool overcomes a deficit to defeat LASK, but suffer another blow due to an injury.

Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, and Mohamed Salah score for Jurgen Klopp’s team as they defeat their Austrian rivals, LASK, 1-3.

As they began their Europa League campaign with victory over LASK, Liverpool came from behind to win for the fourth time in their previous five games.

The fact that Florian Flecker scored from the edge of the box to put Liverpool down 1-0 at the half must have worried Jurgen Klopp, who made 11 changes to his starting lineup.
It took a stroke of luck for the breakthrough after Darwin Nunez saw his point-blank range header brilliantly blocked by LASK goalkeeper Tobias Lawal.

Nunez converted the ensuing penalty kick into the corner after Luis Diaz was brought down in the area to tie Liverpool at 1-1.
When Ryan Gravenberch crossed low for Diaz to score on the break, they were in front seven minutes later.

Although Mohamed Salah scored a beautiful late goal for Liverpool, it was not classic play, and Gravenberch limping off won’t help matters. Klopp brought in the big guns off the bench to easily hold off their Austrian opponents for the three points.

Starting slowly.

Liverpool struggle with sluggish starts.
Due diligence on the part of LASK led to the use of two blockers to give Flecker room on the edge of the box.
He made good use of it, beating Caoimhin Kelleher with an excellent effort.

Klopp is aware of the bigger problem at hand, though, as this was Liverpool’s fourth first-half goal conceded in their previous five games.
The lead against the Reds was taken by LASK along with Bournemouth (three minutes), Newcastle (25 minutes), and Wolves (7 minutes).

Liverpool is making it difficult for themselves to win even though they rallied to win all three of those games. That is not a viable strategy.
Klopp must address it because it is beginning to appear to be much more than a coincidence.

Doak exudes confidence.

Doak, who started for Liverpool on Thursday night, started a European game as the fourth-youngest player ever.

Although his youth may have suggested his status, observing him would not have revealed his lack of experience.

It’s understandable why Doak has Liverpool supporters buzzing.
On the right wing, the young Scot is a ball of energy who shone in Austria right away.

He ran at his man relentlessly, completely unafraid of dropping the ball.
He displays why he has Klopp’s trust through his quick feet and brisk burst of speed.
He will need to be patient as Mohamed Salah’s understudy, but he undoubtedly brings something unique to the table. He was removed from the game in the 60th minute after doing well.

Gravenberch eager to please

Because of his dissatisfaction with his limited playing time at Bayern Munich, Gravenberch left for Liverpool.
He was promised to Liverpool for £34 million, but he has had to wait to make his debut.

He wanted to impress his new manager, and that was immediately apparent.
He was seen cursing the ground during a period of the first half when he lost possession of the ball several times in a row.

Gravenberch was assigned to a more liberated No. 8 position, which he appeared to enjoy, with fellow newcomer Wataru Endo serving as the midfield’s anchor. The 21-year-old has a strong engine and an eye for the ball; before earning his first assist for Liverpool by bursting forward on the break and crossing for Diaz to score, he made three crucial passes.

Later, when he burst forward and botched a three-on-three opportunity with an errant pass, his eagerness did come across as trying a little too hard. He ran himself into the ground and was replaced shortly after.
Liverpool will be hoping it’s nothing serious after he limped gingerly off the field.

showing off the depth of the squad.

The team that defeated Wolves 3-1 over the weekend underwent 11 changes under Klopp, who also mentioned the need for rotation in his pre-game interview.
He told TNT Sports, “We made the changes because we want to give everything in this competition.”.

Doak, Gravenberch, and a recovered Stefan Bajcetic all had opportunities, but they failed to seize them in the opening period.
Nunez’s clear-cut header was the only shot on goal for Liverpool, and Klopp must have been unsure of the strength of his team at the time.

However, Liverpool took charge as LASK grew drained and Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Joe Gomez, and Salah came off the bench.

They will need their supporting players to perform better in the future as the Thursday-Sunday routine sets in.

Quality is highlighted by Salah.

LINZ, AUSTRIA – SEPTEMBER 21: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores the team’s third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 group stage match between LASK and Liverpool FC on September 21, 2023 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images)

Three of Liverpool’s seasoned attackers made the difference in a game that was supposed to be about the fringe players rising to the occasion.

Nunez scored from the penalty spot, Diaz completed a quick counterattack, and Salah added the finishing touch by gliding through the defense and toe-poking in a third goal.
It was all about winning, and only winning, so Klopp won’t mind.

However, it demonstrates the gap between the starters’ attackers and their back-ups, though LASK’s drained legs should also be taken into account.

On Sunday in the Premier League, Liverpool plays West Ham once more.