LASK suffer injury blow ahead of Liverpool clash

LASK suffer injury blow ahead of Liverpool clash LASK vs Liverpool: Moses Usor injury doubt adds to Champions League selection concerns Liverpool’s trip to LASK offers an opportunity to move on from domestic disappointment, but preparations on both sides are being shaped by the players who may be missing. Moses Usor is a major doubt for Wednesday’s Champions League meeting after suffering a shoulder injury during LASK’s 2-0 home defeat to Rapid Vienna. His potential absence would remove an important attacking option from a team already struggling for results. Liverpool arrive following a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City at Anfield, with injuries limiting Andoni Iraola’s choices. The European fixture presents a chance to regain momentum, although neither manager approaches it with a full squad. Photo: IMAGO Moses Usor faces race to recover Usor’s availability remains uncertain after his weekend injury, with LASK head coach Dietmar Kuhbauer identifying the shoulder joint as the problem. “With Mo, it’s the shoulder joint that is a bit injured. I hope it won’t take too long,” Kuhbauer said. The comments offer some hope that the absence will be brief, but they stop short of confirming whether the 24-year-old Nigerian winger can face Liverpool. His contribution this season explains why LASK will be eager to have him available. Usor has scored twice and supplied three assists in eight league appearances, providing both a finishing threat and a source of chances for others. LASK have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions. Against that backdrop, potentially losing an influential forward adds another complication to their attempts to recover. George Bello absence compounds LASK concerns There is less uncertainty over George Bello, who also picked up an injury against Rapid Vienna and has been ruled out of Wednesday’s match. “George appears to have a muscle injury. He definitely won’t be available on Wednesday,” Kuhbauer confirmed. The distinction matters for LASK’s preparations. Bello’s absence is confirmed, while Usor’s situation remains one to assess before kick-off. LASK also need a response in Europe after losing their opening Champions League fixture against AEK Athens. They are therefore attempting to reverse a difficult run while adjusting their plans around fitness concerns. For Liverpool, those problems may alter the challenge they face, but they provide no guarantee of a straightforward evening. Their own recent results offer enough reason to approach the fixture carefully. Liverpool injuries leave Iraola weighing options Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai are expected to remain unavailable after missing the Manchester City defeat. Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are longer-term absentees. Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa are also unavailable for this fixture, having been omitted from Liverpool’s Champions League squad. Ryan Gravenberch can play despite his dismissal against City, as that suspension applies to domestic competition. His availability gives Iraola an established midfield option at a time when several others are missing. Joe Gomez, Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha could come into consideration for starts as Liverpool manage a demanding schedule. Any changes, however, remain selection possibilities rather than confirmed decisions. The balance for Iraola is between sharing the workload and choosing a side capable of restoring confidence after Sunday’s setback. Champions League offers opportunity for response Liverpool began their European campaign by beating Atletico Madrid, giving them a positive result to build on in Austria. Their domestic position is less comfortable. Although the City defeat was their first Premier League loss of the season, three draws have contributed to a nine-point gap to the leaders after six matches. Previous meetings with LASK provide encouraging memories. Liverpool won both encounters in the 2023/24 Europa League group stage, scoring seven goals across a 3-1 victory in Linz and a 4-0 win at Anfield. Those results offer context rather than a prediction. Wednesday’s match will be shaped by the players available now and how effectively each side responds to its recent difficulties. For LASK, the immediate question is whether Usor can recover in time. For Liverpool, it is whether a depleted squad can turn a promising European start into another valuable victory.