LASK Linz vs Liverpool: UEFA Champions League Soccer Clash
LASK Linz vs Liverpool closes out the Matchday 2 calendar on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, as the UEFA Champions League makes its first-ever trip to Raiffeisen Arena in this Soccer fixture. This complete Match Guide has everything you need: kickoff time, a growing Liverpool injury list, head-to-head history, our prediction and how to watch live from Linz, Austria.
Match at a Glance
- Fixture: LASK Linz vs Liverpool
- Competition: UEFA Champions League 2026/27 – League Phase, Matchday 2
- Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2026
- Kickoff: 17:45 BST (UK) / 18:45 CET / 12:45 ET
- Venue: Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austria
- Referee: Tobias Stieler (GER); VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski
- Forecast: ~11°C, rain likely
Tonight's Key Fixtures
LASK vs Liverpool is the final Matchday 2 tie of the round — a true David vs Goliath European night in front of a sold-out, hostile Raiffeisen Arena. Liverpool kick off the second leg of their Austrian double knowing three points are close to mandatory after Matchday 1. Check UEFA.com for the full league-phase standings once tonight's result is confirmed.
Star Watch
Christoph Lang — LASK Linz
The Austrian international is LASK's primary goal threat alongside American forward Samuel Adeniran. With Die Laskler winless in four, Lang's finishing is their best route to a historic result — Liverpool's makeshift defense must stay switched on.
Florian Wirtz — Liverpool
Deployed in an advanced midfield/left-half role in Iraola's 4-2-3-1, Wirtz is the creative hub with Dominik Szoboszlai unavailable. Expect him to drift between the lines and overload LASK's back three.
Ryan Gravenberch — Liverpool
Booked twice against Manchester City on Sunday — but his Premier League red card does NOT carry into this Champions League tie. He anchors the double pivot alongside Mac Allister and sets the press that Iraola demands.
Matchup Analysis
LASK Linz were Austrian Bundesliga champions last season, but 2026-27 has started bumpily: third in the table after eight rounds, five points off leaders Rapid Wien following Saturday's 2-0 defeat in Vienna. They're also winless in four matches and opened their UCL campaign with a 1-0 loss at AEK Athens, managing little in the final third. The home record still commands respect — 4 wins from their last 5 at Raiffeisen Arena, 14 scored — but Kühbauer calls his side "clearly the underdogs."
Liverpool arrive bruised. A 3-0 home loss to Manchester City — played 30-plus minutes with ten men after Gravenberch's dismissal — leaves them ninth in the Premier League with just two wins in six. Europe has been the solace: Szoboszlai and Mac Allister turned around Llorente's early opener to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Matchday 1. The problem is depth. Gakpo (ankle) and Szoboszlai (hamstring) were left out of the 23-man traveling party, joining Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni and Chiesa in the treatment room; Isak is a thigh doubt. Iraola: "Probably we are the favourites but you have to come here, do the job, and play well."
Head-to-head: Liverpool have won both previous meetings — 3-1 away and 4-0 at home in the 2023-24 Europa League group stage. Gakpo, Salah and Diaz scored twice each in those games; none of the three start here.
Prediction: LASK Linz 0-2 Liverpool. Iraola's press should eventually overwhelm the hosts, but with an attack this patched-together, a low-scoring away win is far more likely than a rout.
How to Watch
| Region | Broadcaster / Streaming | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK | TNT Sports / Amazon Prime | 17:45 BST early kickoff |
| USA | Paramount+ / TUDN | 12:45 ET |
| Austria | Sky Austria / ORF / Servus TV | 18:45 local |
| India | Sony Sports Network / SonyLIV | 10:15 PM IST |
Confirm local listings closer to kickoff.
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FAQ
Q: What time does LASK vs Liverpool kick off? A: 17:45 BST on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 — an early Champions League kickoff at Raiffeisen Arena, Linz.
Q: Why isn't Gravenberch suspended after his red card vs Man City? A: His red card was in the Premier League and doesn't carry over into UEFA competition. He is available and expected to start.
Q: Who are Liverpool missing for this match? A: Cody Gakpo (ankle) and Dominik Szoboszlai (hamstring) were left out of the traveling squad; Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni and Chiesa are also out.
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