Liverpool come from behind to win for the fourth time this season.

Despite trailing at half-time, Liverpool still beat LASK 3-1 in their opening match of Group E in the Europa League.

Six games into the new season, Liverpool have already won four times after falling behind. The scenario in Austria was no different, with the home side opening the scoring with a spectacular long-range strike. However, just seven minutes into the second half, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz scored to give the visitors the lead, before Mohamed Salah sealed the victory.

Forward Luis Diaz celebrates his goal that put Liverpool 2-1 up against LASK in Group E of the Europa League at the Raiffeisen Stadium in Linz, Austria, on September 21, 2023. Photo: LFC — Forward Luis Diaz celebrates his goal that put Liverpool 2-1 up against LASK in Group E of the Europa League at the Raiffeisen Stadium in Linz, Austria, on September 21, 2023. Photo: *LFC*

According to the Opta index, Liverpool are ranked second in the world , while LASK are in 146th place, lower than even the bottom-ranked team in the Premier League, Luton Town. Therefore, manager Jurgen Klopp boldly used reserve players such as 18-year-old midfielder Ben Doak, new signing Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, defender Konstantinos Tsimikas, and Stefan Bajcetic.

Klopp appeared optimistic at the start of the match, with his hands in his pockets, while the home team's coaching staff engaged in a heated argument. However, LASK opened the scoring with a well-executed free-kick. Midfielder Sascha Horvath lofted the ball from the left outside the penalty area to Florian Flecker, who controlled it and volleyed it into the far corner past goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. It was a masterpiece, the first European Cup goal at the Raiffeisen Stadium, and Flecker celebrated with an equally spectacular somersault. On the sidelines, Klopp stood with his arms crossed, looking stunned.

Flecker's somersault to celebrate a goal. Photo: UEFA — Flecker's somersault to celebrate a goal. Photo: *UEFA*

Liverpool remained undeterred as they pressed forward and created several dangerous opportunities. Inevitably, Diaz was fouled by defender Philipp Ziereis inside the home team's penalty area in the 55th minute, and Italian referee Marco Di Bello immediately awarded a penalty. Nunez didn't miss the penalty, scoring with a shot into the left corner to equalize.

As usual, Liverpool played with renewed vigor after equalizing. In the 63rd minute, Gravenberch made a diagonal run to the right to receive a cross from Harvey Elliott, before crossing the ball to Diaz who tapped it in from close range. This was the Colombian striker's fourth goal in nine league matches.

Nunez equalized from a penalty. Photo: UEFA — Nunez equalized from a penalty. Photo: *UEFA*

Once Liverpool took the lead and gained momentum, they were difficult to beat. They even scored another goal late in the game, five minutes after Salah came on. Receiving a pass from Nunez in the penalty area, the Egyptian star pushed the ball past the goalkeeper, then chipped the ball through the defender's legs to score. At that moment, three Liverpool players were waiting for a cross to tap into an empty net, but Salah didn't pass. Therefore, after scoring, he raised both hands to signal his sympathy to his teammates.

Liverpool achieved their objective in Austria, securing three points and resting key players. Therefore, they will be in top form when they return to Anfield to face West Ham in the sixth round of the Premier League on September 24th.

Hoang An

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