Liverpool are in Austria this evening for their second Champions League fixture of the new campaign against LASK

Liverpool return to Champions League action on Wednesday as they face Austrian outfit LASK in Matchday 2 of the league phase. The Reds have made the trip to continental Europe, but will once again be without the services of forwards Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo as well as midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.

It leaves Andoni Iraola with some selection dilemmas, as the Reds boss tries to balance his squad with one eye on Saturday's difficult-looking trip to Brentford in the Premier League.

The ECHO's LFC writers have picked their own starting XIs ahead of a match that Liverpool really need to win after the disappointing 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.

Ian Doyle

The Champions League. The greatest competition in European football - and probably the least important game of Liverpool's week. But with so many players unavailable for the trip to Linz in the midst of a busy period, what is Reds boss Andoni Iraola to do?

There should be changes, even if the Basque's hand is somewhat limited. The goalkeeper, though, needs to remain Alisson Becker, with Milos Kerkez the left-back and skipper Virgil van Dijk one of the centre-backs.

From there, though, matters alter. Joe Gomez can be the other central defender, with Jeremie Frimpong coming in at right-back.

The midfield remains the same, with Ryan Gravenberch partnering Alexis Mac Allister at the base and Florian Wirtz the number 10.

But Rio Ngumoha can come in on the right of the attack, with Bradley Barcola continuing down the left and Lewis Koumas the central striker.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola; Koumas.

Paul Gorst

With so many games to come before the next international break, this is an ideal time to use the squad. Without disrespecting tonight’s hosts, LASK should be straightforward enough for Reds if they perform to their capabilities.

I’m chopping the back four to keep many fresh for Saturday’s tricky trip to Brentford. Jeremie Frimpong, Kostas Tsimikas and Joe Gomez all start. Virgil van Dijk keeps his place.

Ryan Gravenberch starts alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz keeps his place with the demand to perform on the European stage.

Rio Ngumoha can start off the right and Bradley Barcola also keeps his place. Lewis Koumas leads the line.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola; Koumas.

Theo Squires

Andoni Iraola does not exactly have loads of options to choose from for the trip to LASK, but I’d still make a couple of changes to help manage the workload as Liverpool navigate a run of nine games in 28 days.

I’d rest Jeremy Jacquet for the trip to Austria with Joe Gomez coming in at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk. No changes at full-back though, with the sight of Milos Kerkez at the pre-match press conference suggesting he is set to start.

Ryan Gravenberch has to start, given he is suspended for the weekend. But with Dominik Szoboszlai currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, I’d be resting Alexis Mac Allister for the weekend. Trey Nyoni can come in for a full Champions League debut as a result.

Florian Wirtz continues to come under-fire, but I’d be giving him another opportunity to play his way into form. With Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo still out, Liverpool need all the attacking stars they can get out on the pitch.

Bradley Barcola retains his place too. The pair admittedly both struggled against Man City, but fingers crossed Champions League football is just what they need to reverse their fortunes.

Meanwhile, Lewis Koumas keeps his place upfront, but Rio Ngumoha earns a recall. He can start in his favoured left-wing position, with Barcola switching to the right as a result as Victor Munoz drops to the bench.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araujo, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Nyoni; Barcola, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Koumas.

FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page

Mark Jones

The games come thick and fast now, but Liverpool's injuries and fairly maddening insistence on keeping a small squad means the options for changes aren't plentiful for Andoni Iraola.

But with Brentford away to come on Saturday, six words which have just sent a shiver down your spine, then alterations simply have to be made here.

Alisson can remain in goal though, but Jeremie Frimpong can get a start at right-back as he needs to build up some confidence somewhere. Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez remain as the rest of the back four.

Ryan Gravenberch starts in midfield for obvious reasons, and hopefully this time he puts in a good performance that isn't rudely interrupted, and while Trey Nyoni's case is compelling, Alexis Mac Allister is in fine form and can stays in the side for an hour at least.

Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz have to start because they have to get going eventually, and Rio Ngumoha can get a berth on the opposing wing to the Frenchman, with Lewis Koumas busying around upfront.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola; Koumas.