Following a vital point at Manchester City, Liverpool will face LASK on Thursday in order to confirm their spot in the Europa League knockout stages.

Despite missing out on early qualification in their last continental match against Toulouse, the Reds presently lead Group E and are hot favourites to progress.

Liverpool produced one of their poorest performances of the season in the disputed 3-2 defeat in France, when a single point would have sealed their place in the knockout stages.

Meanwhile, LASK boss Thomas Sageder has stated that his team would not be traveling to Anfield as ‘tourists’ this week.

Still, Jurgen Klopp’s side only needs a point from their next two group games and have been spotless at home, winning comfortably over Union Saint-Gilloise and Toulouse.

The Reds also defeated LASK 3-1 in Austria on matchday one, with Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, and Mohamed Salah scoring.

With some injury concerns and one eye on Fulham at the weekend, here’s how Liverpool could line up on Thursday.

While Alisson Becker’s fitness is still in doubt after appearing to take a hit during the stalemate with Manchester City, the Brazilian would have been an extremely improbable starter against LASK anyway.

Caoimhin Kelleher has been Liverpool’s Europa League goalkeeper this season when healthy, and he will continue in that role on Thursday.

Many of the first-choice backline are likely to be rested here ahead of a hectic December month, which means starts for Joe Gomez and the outstanding young Jarell Quansah are likely.

Ibrahima Konate appears to have fallen behind Joel Matip in Klopp’s pecking order due to availability difficulties, but he might return to the lineup at Anfield.

Kostas Tsimikas is expected to start at left back, although academy duo Luke Chambers and Caleb Scanlon, who both appeared in the previous Europa League encounter at Anfield, may be given a chance.

Similarly to the defense, Klopp has the squad depth to field a completely different (but still excellent) midfield than the one that started at the Etihad.

Wataru Endo has started all four of the Reds’ Europa League games, and that streak could continue with Alexis Mac Allister likely to be rested.

Ryan Gravenberch excelled off the bench for City, and his contribution to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s equalizer proved crucial. The 21-year-old Dutchman has three goals in three Europa League appearances thus far.

Harvey Elliott is another player who is quickly becoming a cup specialist for Liverpool this season, having played every minute of the Reds’ continental campaign despite starting only once in the Premier League.

James McConnell, 19, is one to keep an eye on from the bench.

Diogo Jota’s knock at the weekend means he is unlikely to be risked, even if he is assessed fit to play. Instead, anticipate Luis Diaz to make his third Europa League start. Back in September, the Colombian scored in the rematch against LASK.

Darwin Nunez, who earned criticism from Liverpool great Robbie Fowler following the City defeat, could be preferred up top. Gakpo is now without a goal in four club games. Nuez is on five.

The biggest unknown is whether Klopp will risk his most consistent goalscorer, Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian has only started once in the Europa League this season, but has came off the bench in all four games, scoring twice.

While the Reds were terrible against Toulouse last time out, there is still relatively little pressure on this game, which means 18-year-old Ben Doak may be given another chance to impress right from the start.

LIVERPOOL’S PREDICTED STARTING XI WILL MEET LASK

(4-3-3): Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas; Elliott, Endo, Gravenberch; Doak, Gakpo, Diaz.