Fans reacted to the inclusion of attacker Florian Wirtz in Liverpool’s starting XI for their UEFA Champions League league phase game at LASK on Wednesday (October 14).

The Reds are coming off a 3-0 Premier League home defeat to leaders Manchester City at the weekend. Following Ryan Gravenberch’s dismissal just past the hour mark, the visitors capitalised on their numerical advantage to score thrice without reply and maintain their three-point lead atop the standings.

Andoni Iraola’s side now turn their attention to Europe, where their campaign opener was a 2-1 home win over Atletico Madrid last month. The Spaniard has made four changes from the side that lost to City. Fans, though, aren’t enthused to see Wirtz start against LASK, as the German hasn’t got going this campaign.

“Flo, this is genuinely his last chance; if he doesn’t perform well, he gets dropped,” one tweeted.

“Blows my mind Wirtz keeps starting games,” another commented.

“Let Wirtz come farm against lask and get his confidence up,” one posted.

“Correct decision to start Wirtz, as poor as he’s been. Mac Allister rightly so gets a rest. Nyoni starts thankfully. Makes sense to see Gravenberch, given he’ll miss Brentford. Surprised to see Jacquet over VVD, given his injury last week. Frimpong probably had to play. Forwards pick themselves, with Munoz probably feeling hard done by. Rotated team or not, it’s a must win,” another wrote.

Wirtz, 23, hasn’t scored in seven games across competitions this season, with his lone assist coming in six games in the Premier League, where Liverpool are ninth after six matches.

What happened the last time Liverpool played LASK?

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur - Carabao Cup Third Round - Source: Getty — Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur – Carabao Cup Third Round – Source: Getty

Liverpool will have happy memories from their last meeting with LASK, as they emerged 4-0 victors at home against the Austrian side in the UEFA Europa League in November 2023.

Luis Diaz broke the deadlock in the 12th minute before Cody Gakpo doubled the Reds’ advantage three minutes later. Mohamed Salah joined the party in the second half before Gakpo scored his second of the night in stoppage time to apply the coup de grace.

The Reds reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League that season, losing 3-1 on aggregate to Atalanta. They also reached the last eight in the FA Cup, finished third in the Premier League and won the EFL Cup.