Liverpool will face Austrian side LASK in their first game of the Europa League on Thursday and whether Virgil Van Dijk will start the game still remains doubtful.
The Reds are on an unbeaten run of 5 games since mid-August from the start of the 2023-24 season. Apart from drawing the opening match 1-1 against Chelsea, they have won all of the 4 out of 5 games.
And the recent victory came against Wolves on Saturday in which the Merseysiders made a great comeback.
The team won the match 3-1 with Cody Gakpo, Andy Robertson scoring, and an own-goal from Hugo Bueno.
The team is looking in fine form with their attacking game. However, the Anfield giants have been weak at the back, conceding in almost every game this season so far.
Will Van Dijk play for Liverpool against LASK?
LFC announced the 23-man squad for the UEFA Europa League on September 12 through their official website. And Virgil Van Dijk has been obviously named as he captains the English giants now.
The English side is returning to the Europa League this season after they came second in the 2015-16 season.
But the question that is rising is whether he will start against LASK on Thursday. The 32-year-old has been out of the Reds team sheet for 2 games.
The Merseysiders’ skipper received a straight red in the match against Newcastle United after taking out Alexander Isak.
His suspension was extended even further by one more game as he verbally abused the on-field referee for the decision.
However, he featured in the UEFA Euro Qualifiers for the Dutch national team during the international break. Thus, VVD will miss another PL game but he can play in UEFA leagues. Moreover, he also has been active in training with the Liverpool team despite he has been out of action.
And after the awful performance by Joel Matip in the latest game against Wolves, it is more and more evident that Klopp would not like to start him.
Moreover, Ibrahima Konate has finally returned on the turf as he made a late appearance against the Old Gold.
So the spectators could see the Van Dijk-Konate pair making a comeback at the backline for the Anfield giants as they make a trip to Austria.
LASK are also in very good form with their unbeaten 7 games run. So it is safe to say that the game will be pretty exciting to watch.
An ardent football fan and a proud Red. I take immense pleasure in analyzing the intricacies of the game.
