Liverpool have enjoyed a fantastic start to the Premier League, and now it’s time for the group to carry that momentum into Europe as they prepare for their Europa League opening against LASK on Thursday evening.
So far this season, the Reds have played five games, drawn one, and won four, which is a significant improvement from the dismal start to the 2022/23 campaign.
That is not to suggest that the club has been flawless. In truth, Liverpool has conceded first in three of its five league games, has only had one clean sheet, and has had two red cards (one of which was rescinded) – so there is still a lot to work on.
The Reds’ Europa League match on Thursday should give them with a different type of challenge, and Jurgen Klopp must now strike a balance between selecting his squads for a Thursday-Sunday schedule.
Here are three things to keep an eye out for during the Europa League debut.
GRAVENBERCH’S FIRST START?
Ryan Gravenberch is the only one of Liverpool’s new midfield quartet who has yet to make a competitive start for the club, and this European night should provide the ideal opportunity for the Dutchman to show why the Reds fought for his signature until Deadline Day.
Fans have been eager to see the 21-year-old in action since his arrival from Bayern Munich, with anticipation fuelled by rumors that Klopp and Liverpool have had an eye on the Dutchman since his Ajax days.
However, due to a late registration for the Aston Villa game and an untimely international break, fans had to wait more than two weeks to see Gravenberch on the field – and when he did finally make a 10-minute cameo against Wolves, the midfielder almost scored on his debut.
With Klopp expected to make numerous changes to his starting lineup against LASK, Gravenberch might get his first start.
Dominik Szoboszlai has played every minute for Liverpool this season, and Alexis MacAllister appeared exhausted in the first half against Wolves due to his involvement with Argentina just days before, and both could be rested for Sunday’s game against West Ham.
With intense competition for places in Klopp’s all-new midfield, Gravenberch’s performance in the Europa League might be crucial.
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ACADEMY STARS?
While fans understandably anticipated that Liverpool would pull it out of the bag and qualify for the Champions League last season, being in the Europa League has its advantages.
Ben Doak, Jarell Quansah, and Bobby Clark will almost probably see action in the early rounds, but the latter will miss out on Thursday due to his participation in the Under-21s’ EFL Trophy success this week.
Playing in Europe at such a young age would be excellent experience for the trio as they seek to establish themselves and cement their places in Klopp’s first-team squad.
Doak, a 17-year-old Scottish winger, is one of the most exciting young players in the world, and he appears set to go from strength to strength after signing a new long-term contract on Tuesday.
Klopp has stated that he will not pitch a depleted team in the Europa League this season, but Doak should rise to the challenge of earning game time as Mohamed Salah’s backup in games where the Egyptian may justifiably be rested.
STEFAN BAJCETIC’S RETURN
On the subject of youth, maybe Liverpool’s brightest is a player who has already made his first-team debut and is widely considered as a starter when completely fit.
Before tearing his adductor muscle in March, Stefan Bajcetic was likely a top three player for the Reds last season and the club’s best midfielder.
After nearly six months on the sidelines, Bajcetic has appeared on the bench in Liverpool’s last two games and even played for Spain’s U21s during the international break.
Thursday’s match against LASK could be the ideal opportunity to reintroduce the 18-year-old midfielder, as he attempts to demonstrate why the Reds didn’t need to spend big money on a new ‘number six’ after all this summer.