Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp couldn’t have wished for a better Thursday evening as he watched his side make light work of LASK at Anfield, securing top spot of their group with a game to spare. Express Sport takes a look at four things learned from the match.
Players rested for Man Utd match
Toulouse’s draw with Union Saint-Gilloise means Liverpool have secured top spot in their group with one game to spare. That gives Klopp the security of being able to rest some of his big-name players for the final group game in two weeks with a crucial match against Manchester United scheduled just days later.
Erik ten Hag doesn’t have the same luxury as United are in need of a win against Bayern Munich to keep their hopes of progressing from the Champions League group stage. That’s advantage to Liverpool ahead of that crunch match at Anfield on December 17.
39 goals between front five
Only Bayern Munich’s attacking players have scored more than Liverpool’s lethal front five this season with Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota all in strong form. Diaz moved to five and Gakpo now has six goals apiece while Nunez has seven and Jota sits on eight but Salah leads the way on 13.
They’re averaging more than two goals a game between them and are the main reason Liverpool are fighting on all fronts still. Having five players all capable of finding the net make Liverpool one of the biggest threats in European football and Klopp will be hoping that form continues for the entire season.
Quansah’s confidence growing
Jarell Quansah has quickly settled into being a regular starter for Liverpool in the Europa League and it’s clear his confidence is growing with each outing. The 20-year-old is doing everything he needs to do to prove that he’s capable of being Joel Matip’s long-term replacement from next year.
Liverpool are expected to spend the 2024 summer transfer window bolstering their defensive options, but Quansah could end up saving them a fortune. Quansah’s minutes may be reduced in the second half of this season, but he’s shown that he’s capable of stepping in when needed.
Kelleher’s chance
Alisson’s injury will be disappointing news for Jurgen Klopp, but he’ll now be even more glad that Liverpool managed to keep hold of Caoimhin Kelleher. The Irish goalkeeper will get the chance to play just his second Premier League since January 2022 this weekend when Liverpool face Fulham.
He’s likely to be given a run of games in the team too in an opportunity to truly showcase what he can do on the big stage for Liverpool. Alisson isn’t expected back until the Reds face United, meaning Kelleher will likely be given the nod for five consecutive matches – the longest amount of games he would have played for Liverpool in a row.