LASK vs Liverpool Prediction, Odds & Pick (Oct 14)

Liverpool head to Linz on Wednesday, October 14, for the early Champions League window (12:45 p.m. ET, Raiffeisen Arena), and on paper this is the most lopsided matchup of the night. The 1X2 board says the same thing: LASK 8.40, draw 6.00, Liverpool 1.31. The question for bettors isn't really "who wins?" It's whether a short-handed Liverpool squad is worth backing at a price that leaves almost no room for error.

Where things stand

After Tuesday's games, Liverpool sit 16th in the 36-team league phase with three points from one match. They came from behind to beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 at Anfield on Matchday 1, with Dominik Szoboszlai equalizing and Alexis Mac Allister hitting the winner shortly after halftime.

LASK are 27th with zero points after a 1-0 loss at AEK Athens in their opener, a game decided by a first-half Razvan Marin free kick. Getting to the league phase at all was an achievement: the Austrian champions came back against Celtic in the playoff round, finishing the job with a 5-1 extra-time win in Linz.

Recent form

LASK opened their domestic season with seven straight wins, but the wheels have come loose since September. The run since the AEK loss reads: a 2-1 defeat at Sturm Graz, a 3-3 draw at Hartberg and a 2-0 home loss to Austrian Bundesliga leaders Rapid Wien last weekend. That makes four competitive games without a win.

Liverpool were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, but the scoreline needs context. The Reds were arguably edging the game before Ryan Gravenberch was sent off around the hour mark. Before that, Andoni Iraola's side had beaten Tottenham 3-1 and won 1-0 at Bournemouth, with a 0-0 draw against Fulham mixed in.

Team news

This is where the Liverpool case gets complicated. Per the club's official team news, Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak and Dominik Szoboszlai are still sidelined with problems picked up on international duty. Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitiké and Giovanni Leoni are long-term absentees, and Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo aren't in the league-phase squad. Gravenberch's red card was domestic, so he's available here.

Iraola all but confirmed changes: "It's going to be difficult to put exactly the same starting XI tomorrow," he said, pointing to freshness and "some niggles" in a stretch of nine games in 28 days. Brentford (Saturday) and Villarreal (next Tuesday) are up next.

For LASK, striker Ramiz Harakaté is out with a torn ACL, while George Bello (muscle) and Moses Usor (shoulder) both came off injured against Rapid and are expected to miss out.

Key players

• Florian Wirtz (Liverpool): With Isak and Gakpo out, the creative burden runs through Wirtz in the No. 10 role.
• Bradley Barcola (Liverpool): Iraola singled him out as the late arrival who gets better "the more he plays." Expect him to start wide.
• Lewis Koumas (Liverpool): Has been leading the line in Isak's absence, flanked by Rio Ngumoha in projected lineups.
• Saša Kalajdžić and Christoph Lang (LASK): The likely strike partnership if Usor can't go. Kalajdžić's size gives LASK a direct outlet.

Tactical angle

Iraola expects LASK to look different from the side that dominates the ball in Austria: "They have to change their approach a little bit when they go to face stronger opposition in the Champions League." Projected lineups have Dietmar Kühbauer in a 3-5-2 that can drop into a back five, with wing-backs Kasper Jørgensen and Yvan Dibango providing width.

That sets up a familiar script: Liverpool hold the ball, and LASK sit in a block, try to stay compact through the middle and go long to Kalajdžić. The danger for Liverpool is a patched-up front line struggling to break down a low block. If it stays 0-0 into the second half, the home crowd and LASK's set pieces start to matter.

Kühbauer isn't backing down: "It would be a shame if we were to freeze at the mere mention of their name," he said. "We really want to cause an upset."

Head-to-head and trends

• Liverpool beat LASK twice in the 2023-24 Europa League group stage: 3-1 in Linz and 4-0 at Anfield.
• LASK have never beaten an English side (one draw, five losses in six attempts), per Sports Mole.
• Liverpool are unbeaten in competitive games in Austria (four wins, one draw) and have lost just one of 10 meetings with Austrian clubs.

Odds breakdown

The 1.31 on Liverpool implies about a 76% win chance before the bookmaker's margin (roughly 73% once you strip out the ~5% overround). The draw at 6.00 implies about 17%, and LASK at 8.40 about 12%.

On form and the history, a Liverpool win is the most likely outcome by a distance. The concern is price, not direction. At 1.31 you're risking $100 to profit $31, and the injury list is real.

Prediction and pick

We expect Liverpool to control the game and win, though not in a blowout. A rotated attack against a deep five-man line points to something like a two-goal margin rather than a rout.

• Prediction: LASK 1-3 Liverpool
• Pick: Liverpool to win (1.31)
• Confidence: 4/5 (High on the result, low on value)

If you'd rather not lay that price straight, Liverpool works best as a parlay anchor or as part of a broader card. You'll find the rest of our Matchday 2 slate on the predictions page. For deeper numbers on both clubs, check Saint Stats.

FAQ

What time does LASK vs Liverpool kick off?

12:45 p.m. ET (9:45 a.m. PT) on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, Austria.

Who is injured for Liverpool?

Gakpo, Isak and Szoboszlai are out, along with long-term absentees Bradley, Ekitiké and Leoni. Chiesa and Endo aren't registered for the league phase.

Have these teams met before?

Yes. Liverpool beat LASK 3-1 away and 4-0 at home in the 2023-24 Europa League group stage.

Is Liverpool at 1.31 good value?

It's the likeliest result, but the price is thin. Size your stake accordingly; our bankroll guide explains how.

Bet responsibly

Sports betting should be entertainment, not a way to make money or recover losses. Set a budget before kickoff, never bet more than you can afford to lose, and don't chase losses. Our picks are opinions, not guarantees, and even heavy favorites lose. If gambling stops being fun, take a break and reach out for help. In the U.S., call or text 1-800-GAMBLER. You must be of legal age in your jurisdiction to place a wager.