Liverpool has had a fantastic start in the Premier League, and as they prepare for their opening Europa League match against LASK on Thursday night, it’s time for the team to continue their success in Europe.
The Reds have played five games so far this season and have won four of them, which is unquestionably an improvement from the dismal start to the 2022–23 campaign.
That does not imply that the club has been faultless. There is plenty to improve because Liverpool has given up the first goal in three of its five league games, kept just one clean sheet, and received two red cards (even if one was overturned).
Jurgen Klopp must now strike a balance between selecting his sides for a Thursday-Sunday schedule in order to give the Reds the chance to experience a new kind of challenge in Thursday’s Europa League match.
The following three events should be on your radar for the Europa League kickoff.
THE FIRST START OF GRAVENBERCH?
Ryan Gravenberch is the only member of Liverpool’s new midfield quartet who hasn’t had a competitive debut for the team yet, and this European night may offer the ideal setting for the Dutchman to show why the Reds pushed so hard to sign him until Deadline Day.
Fans have been keen to see the 21-year-old in action since he arrived from Bayern Munich, with anticipation heightened by rumors that Klopp and Liverpool have been keeping an eye on the Dutchman since his Ajax days.
Fans had to wait more than two weeks to see Gravenberch play, but due to a delayed registration for the Aston Villa game and an untimely international break, the midfielder came dangerously close to scoring on his debut during a 10-minute cameo against Wolves.
Now that Klopp is expected to make a number of changes to his starting lineup against LASK, Gravenberch might get the chance to make his debut.
Alexis Mac Allister, who played for Argentina just days earlier, and Dominik Szoboszlai, who has played every minute for Liverpool so far this season, both appeared fatigued in the first half against Wolves and may be rested for Sunday’s game against West Ham.
With fierce competition for spots in Klopp’s brand-new midfield, Gravenberch may need to shine in the Europa League.
A CHANCE FOR STARS FROM ACADEMY?
Being in the Europa League has advantages even if supporters last season would have naturally anticipated that Liverpool would pull it off and qualify for the Champions League.
Early on, players like Ben Doak, Jarell Quansah, and Bobby Clark will almost probably get action. However, Bobby Clark won’t play on Thursday because he took part in the Under-21 team’s EFL Trophy victory this week.
The trio would get crucial experience from playing in Europe at such young ages as they strive to establish themselves and secure their spots in Klopp’s first-team squad.
One of the most intriguing young players in international football, Doak, a 17-year-old Scottish winger, appears poised to continue his ascent after agreeing to a new long-term contract on Tuesday.
Although Klopp has indicated he won’t field a depleted squad in the Europa League this year, expect Doak to rise to the occasion and earn playing time as Mohamed Salah’s backup in contests where the Egyptian may legitimately be rested.
STEFAN BAJCETIC IS BACK
Regarding young players, one who has already broken through to the first team and is widely considered as a starter when completely fit is possibly Liverpool’s brightest prospect.
Prior to tearing his adductor muscle in March, Stefan Bajcetic was undoubtedly one of the Reds’ top three players from the previous season and the team’s finest midfielder.
Bajcetic has appeared on the bench in Liverpool’s previous two games and even played for Spain’s U21s during the break after spending nearly six months on the sidelines.
The Reds’ game against LASK on Thursday would be the ideal opportunity to reintroduce the young midfielder, who is eager to show why they didn’t need to spend much on a new “number six” after all.