Andoni Iraola might have to hand out Liverpool debut as two more players ruled out

Liverpool will hope to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Man City when they return to action away to LASK in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

However, the Reds are set to be without a number of senior players for the trip to Austria after seeing the club’s injury list grow over the international break.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak were all forced to miss the loss to City. And while Andoni Iraola played down any concerns about the severity of the Hungarian’s hamstring injury, he conceded the trio were unlikely to return in time for the trip to Austria.

Liverpool are already without long-term absentees Hugo Ekitke, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, though the Italian is closing in on a return to team training after over a year on the sidelines with an ACL injury.

But the Reds’ options will be depleted further in Austria with both Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo ineligible for the game after not being selected in Liverpool’s Champions League squad.

With Iraola’s ranks down to the bare bones as a result, the ECHO takes a look at the changes the Basque could make in Austria…

Jeremy Jacquet shook off a minor hamstring injury to start against Man City and completed 88 minutes as Liverpool fell to a 3-0 defeat. But with the match the first of nine in four weeks, the France international will need to be managed carefully.

It cannot be overlooked that he only returned from a six-month lay-off at the end of pre-season, after all, and has been a virtual ever-present for the Reds ever since.

If Iraola does look to protect Jacquet’s legs, Joe Gomez could come in at centre-back. Alternatively, Jeremie Frimpong could be handed a recall, with Ronald Araujo moving central.

Elsewhere, Kostas Tsimikas is an alternative to Milos Kerkez at left-back.

Ryan retained but time for Trey?

Ryan Gravenberch will surely start in Austria following his red card against Man City, with the Dutchman suspended for Liverpool’s subsequent Premier League return away at Brentford next weekend.

Alexis Mac Allister would be expected to partner the Dutchman, but Trey Nyoni is also an option to be handed a first Champions League start ahead of a potential full Premier League debut against the Bees in the absence of Gravenberch.

He could start in place of Mac Allister, or replace the out-of-form Florian Wirtz following a disappointing performance against Man City.

If Szoboszlai does not recover, James McConnell would be the Reds’ only other senior midfield option.

With Isak and Gakpo not expected to return and Chiesa ineligible, Lewis Koumas could retain his place upfront against LASK following a promising full Premier League debut against Man City.

Alternatively, Wirtz is an option as a false nine or Bradley Barcola could line up through the middle.

Rio Ngumoha will be hopeful of earning a recall, but Victor Munoz will fancy his chances of keeping his place following a lively showing against Enzo Maresca’s side.

Jayden Danns would be the only other available recognised option to play upfront, with in-form Under-21s striker Will Wright not yet eligible for a place on List B.

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