Liverpool staged a comeback to win 3-1 against LASK Linz on Thursday, marking their first Europa League appearance in nearly a decade. Klopp opted for a heavily rotated lineup in Austria, but they struggled early on, conceding a fantastic goal to Florian Flecker before halftime. The momentum shifted when Luis Diaz, one of 11 players rotated into the side after the victory over Wolves, won a penalty following a challenge by Philipp Ziereis.
Liverpool came from behind to secure a comfortable win 3-1 against LASK Linz on Thursday, their first appearance in the Europa League in eight seasons. After falling behind 1-0 at halftime to a magnificent strike from Florian Flecker, Luis Daz inspired Jurgen Klopp’s much-changed side in Austria. The Colombian attacker, one of 11 changes to Liverpool’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Wolves on Saturday, won the penalty after a foul by Philipp Ziereis.
The game leveled out in the 56th minute when Darwin Nunez converted the penalty. Shortly after, Luis Diaz made it 2-1, skillfully finishing a superb low pass from Ryan Gravenberch. The match served as a milestone for two players: Gravenberch, the summer signing from Bayern Munich, played his first full game, and young Scottish talent Ben Doak made his first start for the club.
Despite an injury forcing Gravenberch out mid-game, the visitors sealed their win in the 88th minute through Mohamed Salah, who capped off a great move started by Nunez. This campaign sees Liverpool return to the Europa League for the first time since Klopp's arrival at the club, following a fifth-place Premier League finish that kept them out of the Champions League.
In other Group E action, last season's quarter-finalists Union St.-Gilloise played out a 1-1 stalemate at home against Toulouse. Meanwhile, West Ham United managed to recover from a goal down to beat TSC Backa Topola 3-1 in their Group A clash.
Despite controlling the ball and attempting 15 shots in the first half, West Ham couldn't find a breakthrough against the European newcomers. Their situation worsened after the break when a defensive error allowed Petar Stanic to score on a solo run. However, the lead didn't last; a Petrovic own goal in the 66th minute brought West Ham back into it, followed by a header from Mohammed Kudus and a final goal from Tomas Soucek to wrap up the win.
Ajax Amsterdam suffered a collapse at home, blowing a 2-0 lead to end in a 3-3 draw with Olympique de Marseille, featuring a brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Brighton & Hove Albion edged out AEK Athens 3-2, aided by two successful penalties. Elsewhere, Rangers took a 1-0 victory over Real Betis courtesy of a second-half strike by Abdallah Sima.