Liverpool vs LASK LIVE: Europa League result and reaction as Salah scores 199th club goal and Gakpo nets twice

Liverpool are back in Europa League action as they host Austrian side LASK an Anfield this evening hoping to get back to winning ways after a shock defeat to Toulouse in their last European outing.

The Reds are top of Group E with nine points from their four matches and have a two-point buffer over the French side in second. Jurgen Klopp will have his sights set on topping the table and moving straight into the round of 16. Victory tonight would secure Liverpool’s place in that stage if Toulouse also lose to Union Saint-Gilloise but that is not a guarantee.

First the need to get past LASK who are currently third in the Austrian Bundesliga. They will come to Anfield with some confidence having beaten Union Saint-Gilloise 3-0 last time out but that was their first win of the Europa League this season. Can they cause a shock on Merseyside tonight?

Follow all the action as Liverpool host LASK plus get the latest odds and tips right here:

Liverpool vs LASK live

• GOAL! Luis Diaz scores - Liverpool 1-0 LASK

• GOAL! Cody Gakpo scores - Liverpool 2-0 LASK

• GOAL! Mohamed Salah scores a penalty! Liverpool 3-0 LASK

• GOAL! Gakpo scores! Liverpool 4-0 LASK

• The Reds are looking to secure Group E and reach the round of 16

• Toulouse beat Liverpool last time out so Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to bounce back

• Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo, Elliott, Gravenberch; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Liverpool FC 4 - 0 Linzer Athletik Sport Klub

Liverpool vs LASK

17:26 , Sonia Twigg

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s live blog for Liverpool vs LASK in the Europa League.

Liverpool only need a draw to secure their place in the knockout stages, but they will want to wrap up top spot in the group, which they currently occupy.

The Reds have nine points from their four games so far in the competition, with three wins and one loss.

Liverpool vs LASK

18:15 , Sonia Twigg

Here’s how you can catch the action:

Liverpool will look to bounce back from their defeat to Toulouse as they return to Europa League action.

Austrian club LASK are on Merseyside with two fixtures left in each side’s group stage campaign.

Two wins from two would make certain of top spot for Jurgen Klopp’s side, thus securing direct progression to the round of 16.

But any slip-up here, or in their final fixture at Union Saint-Gilloise, could open the door for Toulouse.

Is Liverpool v LASK on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch

Liverpool vs LASK

18:30 , Sonia Twigg

Here’s a full rundown of what the English teams need to do to qualify for the knockout stages:

Two rounds of matches remain in both the Europa League and the Europa Conference League group stages, with four Premier League clubs looking to be in the knockout phase in the new calendar year.

Here we run down what the quartet need - plus the Scottish Premiership representatives - from their final fixtures to get into the last 16 of each competition, or at least the playoffs.

Europa League: What do Liverpool, West Ham and Brighton need to reach knockout stage?

Liverpool vs LASK

18:45 , Sonia Twigg

Here’s a closer look at Liverpool’s injuries:

Liverpool will be without Alisson for at least two weeks with the goalkeeper’s hamstring injury not as bad as first feared.

Alisson is set to miss five matches but could return for the visit of Manchester United on December 17, with back-up Caoimhin Kelleher set to step up to Premier League duty in the meantime.

The Brazil international struggled to complete the 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Saturday after appearing to pick up a hamstring injury late on.

Jurgen Klopp offers mixed update on Alisson and Diogo Jota injuries

Liverpool make nine changes from the weekend

18:54 , Sonia Twigg

It will be a cold night in Liverpool for the Europa League, and Jurgen Klopp has made nine changes.

Mohammed Salah starts for Liverpool, as does Kostas Tsimikas - but they are the only ones to stay in the starting XI from the 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Saturday.

Caoimhin Kelleher steps in as goalkeeper with Alisson Becker sidelined with a muscle injury.

Liverpool team

18:55 , Sonia Twigg

Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo, Elliott, Gravenberch; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.

Liverpool team news

18:59 , Sonia Twigg

However, despite the changes to those in the starting line-up, Jurgen Klopp has left firepower on his bench, in case he has to call on them, and the subs are:

Pitaluga, Van Dijk, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Jones, Matip, Chambers, Gordon, Doak, Alexander-Arnold, Bradley

Liverpool vs LASK

19:00 , Sonia Twigg

Now it’s time for a bit of a look back at Liverpool’s last match, a 1-1 draw against Manchester City:

There are times when Jurgen Klopp remarks how much he likes Liverpool’s new team, enjoying their journey and openly admitting that he is not quite sure yet where their destination lies. For others, however, their progress may be more predictable. Liverpool seem to be in another title race. That does not surprise their principal rivals.

“This season, they are back to being very competitive again,” said Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva. “We expected it after a tough season for them.” Which, assuming Silva was reflecting a long-held theory at the Etihad Stadium, may show the esteem in which City hold Liverpool, or the sense they can never really shake them off.

Man City’s reaction to Liverpool draw reveals plenty about Premier League title race

Liverpool vs LASK

19:15 , Sonia Twigg

In the reverse fixture in Austria, Liverpool won 3-1, and they will be hoping for something similar tonight.

The only match Jurgen Klopp’s side have lost was a 3-2 away defeat to Toulouse, and they followed it up with a 5-1 home victory.

Liverpool will be confident going into the match, especially given their position in the Premier League, third and just two points behind Arsenal.

Liverpool vs LASK

19:21 , Sonia Twigg

Here are some photos of the teams arriving:

Liverpool vs LASK

19:34 , Sonia Twigg

Less than half an hour to go until kick off, and Liverpool will be making a push to consolidate top spot in their group and will want to prove that they have the depth in squad required to produce the results despite making nine changes.

Liverpool vs LASK

19:39 , Sonia Twigg

Here are some photos of the teams warming up in the freezing temperatures at Anfield:

Liverpool vs LASK

19:47 , Sonia Twigg

Stay tuned for all the pre-match quotes and build up...

Liverpool vs LASK

19:50 , Sonia Twigg

We are now almost 10 minutes away from kick off so stay tuned for all the action.

Liverpool vs LASK

19:56 , Sonia Twigg

Jurgen Klopp said to TNT Sports ahead of the match: “There are a few things we have in our mind, we know it’s a big step tonight, a home game anyway.

“We have to make sure that we create an atmosphere on the pitch and in the stands as well, it’s pretty chilly out there so it’s good - it means we have to run anyway to stay warm and give the people something to move as well.

“I just can’t stand here - I get that half feeling that we will win this game - but we have to work hard and we have to play football and that’s what we want.”

Liverpool vs LASK

19:58 , Sonia Twigg

Klopp continued: “The last two games were good but not as good as we could be and we tried to work on that. If we can improve on that, if we can create we can score.

“I don’t expect LASK being here and dominate possession but with the possession that they have - if it’s 30 percent or more then they do good stuff and we have to put them under pressure in all departments and score in an ideal world, and if not early then late.

“Just make sure that we win the game.”

Liverpool vs LASK

19:59 , Sonia Twigg

Mohamed Salah will be the Liverpool captain tonight, the players are out on the field and it is about to kick off.

Liverpool 0-0 LASK

20:00 , Sonia Twigg

1’ Liverpool kick the game underway

Liverpool 0-0 LASK

20:02 , Sonia Twigg

3’ LASK have come out with a lot of energy, and Kelleher has already had to gather the ball.

As expected from the Austrian side they have come out with a lot of energy to put the favourites under pressure.

Liverpool 0-0 LASK

20:04 , Sonia Twigg

3’ But Liverpool have their first chance to attack, Joe Gomez has the ball on the touchline, but his pass can’t quite find Salah when he tried to pull it back.

I guess some disconnect is to be expected when you make nine changes.

Liverpool 0-0 LASK

20:06 , Sonia Twigg

6’ No real chances yet, but Liverpool are probing and have been winning the ball consistently high in the field, Salah almost creates an opening despite having four men around him but LASK clear.

Liverpool 0-0 LASK

20:07 , Sonia Twigg

7’ LASK have their first corner, it comes out and they try to create something but the looped cross goes straight to the goalkeeper.

Liverpool 0-0 LASK

20:09 , Sonia Twigg

9’ The travelling LASK fans are in good voice in the cold air at Anfield, and their side have taken the game to Liverpool so far, while the home side have found all their attacks blocked.

Liverpool 0-0 LASK

20:11 , Sonia Twigg

11’ Gakpo has a chance, but just snatched at it and couldn’t wrap his foot around it, sending the ball flying high over the bar.

That was arguably Liverpool’s best chance of the match so far.

GOAL! Diaz scores! Liverpool 1-0 LASK

20:12 , Sonia Twigg

12’ GOAL! Liverpool take the lead through Luis Diaz!

Liverpool 1-0 LASK

20:13 , Sonia Twigg

12’ GOAL! Diaz started the move initially with a play out to Gomez, but runs in to meet the cross in the centre of the box and wrong-footed the goalkeeper with his late run.

His first Anfield goal since August.

GOAL! Gakpo scores! Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:16 , Sonia Twigg

16’ GOAL! Liverpool have a second!

Cody Gakpo has got on the scoresheet with his fifth of the season, Mohamed Salah was on hand to play the ball across the box to the forward who made no mistakes, and this is setting up to be a memorable night for those in red.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:19 , Sonia Twigg

18’ Tsmikas has to clear off the line at the other end and there is so much happening in this match, it’s been really end-to-end so far.

Liverpool look like scoring with every opportunity they get forward however.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:20 , Sonia Twigg

20’ Liverpool have had just the two attempts on target and both have found the back of the net, that is some conversion rate.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:21 , Sonia Twigg

21’ Salah drives into the box, but has the ball taken off him and kicked behind just at the last minute.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:24 , Sonia Twigg

24’ After the frantic start, the game has slowed down a bit slightly, Liverpool have still been looking to build on their lead but not with the same energy as in the first 15 minutes.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:26 , Sonia Twigg

26’ Although the pace might have slowed, Liverpool’s intent has not, they are looking to attack with every opportunity, and almost had another chance, but the ball was not hit perfectly for Gakpo.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:27 , Sonia Twigg

27’ At the other end LASK have a corner, and almost have an opportunity, the ball flashes just wide of the goal, but the flag goes up and had it gone in it would not have counted.

The LASK number 10 was just offside.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:30 , Sonia Twigg

30’ Salah makes another dangerous run into the box, but his final pass just can’t find any of the other players in red and LASK are able to clear their lines.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:31 , Sonia Twigg

31’ Liverpool have appealed for a penalty when Diaz went down in the box, the referee has stopped the game with the forward still down on the ground.

But VAR has not had a look at it and it was not a foul.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:33 , Sonia Twigg

33’ Crossbar! Tsimikas has taken a chance from the edge of the penalty area only to see his well-hit strike rebound back off the bar.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:34 , Sonia Twigg

34’ Harvey Elliott take a free-kick, cleverly designed to bounce in front of the goalkeeper, but it was wide of the target.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:36 , Sonia Twigg

36’ Diaz tries a clever backheel to try and control the ball but it runs out for a goal kick, since the first 20 minutes all of the momentum has gone the way of the home side, although most of the noise has been generated from the travelling supporters in the Anfield Road end.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:39 , Sonia Twigg

39’ Quansah has just committed a foul in the middle of the park, he hasn’t had much to do the Liverpool youngster, but nor have any of the Reds’ defence really, aside from a few corners.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:40 , Sonia Twigg

40’ Liverpool have made almost exactly double the number of passes as LASK tonight in the Europa League clash, which does not come as any surprise.

Diaz goes alone to try and carve out another goal, he weaved around but the final attempt was high and wide of the target, not a good shot in the end.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:41 , Sonia Twigg

41’ Gomez goes for goal! The defender has not scored in his entire professional career, 223 appearances and no goals, but his strike was just wide of the target.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:43 , Sonia Twigg

42’ Elliott plays a good ball over the top towards Salah, but his shot across the goal aiming at the far corner was both side of the target and too far ahead of the arriving Gakpo.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:43 , Sonia Twigg

43’ Salah cannot add to his tally! He has another shot, but it was straight at the goalkeeper, just didn’t get enough power on it and it was a straightforward save for the LASK keeper.

HT: Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:46 , Sonia Twigg

45’ HT: Liverpool 2-0 LASK

The home side have dominated from the outset and go into the break with a healthy 2-0 lead.

HT: Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:49 , Sonia Twigg

Here are some of the best photos of the first half, including the goals:

HT: Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:54 , Sonia Twigg

Michael Owen has just said it has been relatively straightforward for Liverpool and it is hard to disagree.

HT: Liverpool 2-0 LASK

20:57 , Sonia Twigg

The second half should be starting shortly, stay tuned for all the updates from Anfield.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

21:01 , Sonia Twigg

46’ LASK get the second half underway.

In case anyone was wondering how cold it is, the temperature is due to drop to -5 degrees, but the pitch will be okay with undersoil heating.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

21:03 , Sonia Twigg

48’ Liverpool have a shot from a deflected Gakpo shot, their first chance of the second half.

Elliott stepped up to take it and LASK put it behind for another corner, the second one is short, played back to Elliott, but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

Liverpool penalty! Liverpool 2-0 LASK

21:05 , Sonia Twigg

49’ Liverpool penalty! Gakpo has been brought down on the edge of the box!

GOAL! Mohamed Salah scores a penalty! Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:07 , Sonia Twigg

51’ Mohamed Salah scores!

That is his 199th Liverpool goal! He makes no mistakes, his 10th Anfield goal of the season, straight into the bottom corner and nothing the goalkeeper could do.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:08 , Sonia Twigg

53’ Weirdly despite the 3-0 scoreline, it looks like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones are warming up and getting ready to come on from the sidelines.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:09 , Sonia Twigg

54’ Liverpool have not let up at all, Gakpo fires just wide of the post.

Liverpool 2-0 LASK

21:11 , Sonia Twigg

55’ LASK have a chance, it was worked very well into the box, but squandered at the final chance but Ljubicic fired the ball well over the target.

Salah is coming off, he has his goal, he won’t get to 200 club goals tonight, but there is one eye on Fulham at the weekend.

Diaz also comes off for Darwin Nunez.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:14 , Sonia Twigg

59’ Liverpool almost have another when Nunez has a shot deflected wide for a corner, he has a second shot blocked, this time from close range after another chance for the home side.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:18 , Sonia Twigg

62’ With Salah coming off Alexander-Arnold has taken the captain’s armband.

Nunez has a lot of energy, Gakpo sends the ball across the face of goal...but there’s no one to put the ball in the back of the net.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:21 , Sonia Twigg

65’ Save! Kelleher has not had much to do tonight but he was alert to come off his line and deny the LASK forward in a one-on-one situation there.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:24 , Sonia Twigg

69’ Liverpool are in the hunt here, and the other game in the group is still goalless, so the Reds could go top of the group if things stay the same.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:25 , Sonia Twigg

70’ LASK attack again, but the final product does not trouble Kelleher, who gathers easily and starts yet another attack from the home side.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:29 , Sonia Twigg

74’ There is a brief pause in play for an LASK injury, with Mustapha forced off, and he only came on in the 61st minute.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:31 , Sonia Twigg

76’ Tsmikas is on hand to hook the ball away at the last minute, Tsmikas collides with Kelleher in the aftermath, but both players seem to be okay.

The game has broken up a bit since all the substitutions, Liverpool have not been as clinical in their search of more goals, but they do already have a three-goal cushion.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:34 , Sonia Twigg

79’ Liverpool are getting ready for some more substitutions.

Luke Chambers is among them.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:37 , Sonia Twigg

81’ And the changes come in, Gravenberch is off for Bradley and Tsimikas comes off for Chambers.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:38 , Sonia Twigg

83’ The game is just sort of meandering along, LASK are struggling to impose themselves as they have done all match, while Liverpool are dominating possession but without the cutting edge to suggest more goals are coming.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:43 , Sonia Twigg

87’ Liverpool and their youngsters are looking for another goal, but the passes are not quite finding the feet of the attacking players.

Admittedly they have not had too many minutes in recent matches to settle down into the side.

Liverpool 3-0 LASK

21:46 , Sonia Twigg

89’ The LASK fans have been in exceptional voice all day, taking it in turns to sing, first one side get on their feet waving their scarves in the air, then the other.

GOAL! Gakpo scores! Liverpool 4-0 LASK

21:48 , Sonia Twigg

90+2’ GOAL! Gakpo has his second!

It was the pass that made the goal, Alexander-Arndol played a stunning ball into Gakpo who pulls inside onto his right foot and send the ball flying into the back of the net.

FT: Liverpool 4-0 LASK

21:50 , Sonia Twigg

The full-time whistle blows and Liverpool have their victory, and more importantly, with Toulouse’s match still goalless, might have sealed top-spot and a place in the last 16 of the tournament.

FT: Liverpool 4-0 LASK

21:51 , Sonia Twigg

The game in Toulouse has not yet finished though and there could be time for a late upset...

FT: Liverpool 4-0 LASK

21:57 , Sonia Twigg

Cody Gakpo said to TNT Sports after the match: “I think we started off well, first goal from Diaz, but I think we could score more today, but a good win.

“If it was up to me I would score all the chances, but in the end it was only two, and I can improve.”

“It’s amazing when score with the fans and the group and it’s amazing.”

When asked about Liverpool topping the group after Toulouse’s game ended in a draw: “I think it’s important, we should be top of the group with the quality that we have.

“If we top of the group that’s well done but we have to keep going because we have big goals for the season.”

FT: Liverpool 4-0 LASK

22:08 , Sonia Twigg

Here are some photos from the second half:

FT: Liverpool 4-0 LASK

22:13 , Sonia Twigg

Here is the match report, from Richard Jolly at Anfield:

Only one to go now. Mohamed Salah is a goal away from becoming the fifth player to score 200 for Liverpool. The Egyptian showed few signs he finds the 190s nervous, driving in a penalty to reach 199 as he captained Liverpool at Anfield for the first time.

Jurgen Klopp delayed another kind of celebration, taking off Salah with 35 minutes remaining and the opportunity to bring up his landmark against an outclassed LASK side. It may simply prove a case of postponing the inevitable. Salah has 13 goals for the season, seven of them in his last five outings at Anfield, and Sunday’s match against Fulham could see him join Ian Rush, Roger Hunt, Gordon Hodgson and Billy Liddell in a select group.

Liverpool’s Europa League job is done, but Mohamed Salah is just short of milestone

FT: Liverpool 4-0 LASK

22:27 , Sonia Twigg

Jurgen Klopp said to TNT sports after the game: “A lot of good stuff, and then some things I didn’t like too much, but that’s how it is, I say that all the time, we still grow, we still have to develop and play good football.

“This game should have been put to bed before half time, and if you are in charge of the game, then kill it, and we didn’t do that, so 2-0, 3-0 great, then we open up the game a little bit, we give them chances, we make mistakes.

“But winning 4-0 is obviously fantastic.”

On the clean sheet he added: “Very good. Defensively we were extremely strong, i have to say that individuals played a super game.

“That’s very good.”

FT: Liverpool 4-0 LASK

22:30 , Sonia Twigg

Klopp continued when asked about the fact that Liverpool winning and Toulouse drawing means they will not be playing another Europa League game until March: “Good.

“So obviously it’s an important game. And although there’s no that competition, the other competition (the FA Cup) arrives in January, so we are not short of games, it is all fine.”

On Bradley’s first involvement: “I love that, they deserve it, and Conor with just a few moments in the game you can see that he is a real talent, a real prospect for us, it’s so nice to see the boys.

“It’s good, we could have brought Gordon on, he’s back in full training - there’s a lot of positives about that.”

22:50 , Sonia Twigg