Liverpool have named a 23-man travelling squad for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with LASK, with Virgil van Dijk included despite reporting a calf problem at the weekend.
The Reds left John Lennon Airport for Austria on Tuesday lunchtime ahead of their second league-phase fixture, with Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai absent as expected.
Van Dijk’s inclusion provides some encouragement after the captain revealed he sustained a painful knock to his calf during Sunday’s defeat by Manchester City.
Speaking after that match, the Dutchman explained that he would undergo treatment in an effort to be ready for the trip to Linz. He also made clear that he wanted to play if fit, while acknowledging that the final decision rested with Andoni Iraola.
Being named in the travelling party keeps Van Dijk in contention, although his involvement in Wednesday’s starting line-up remains to be confirmed.
Liverpool’s squad also includes youngsters Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas, Rio Ngumoha, Jayden Danns, and Sonni-Lambie, giving Iraola options as he prepares to cope without Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai.
Following their arrival in Austria, Iraola and a member of the squad are scheduled to attend a press conference in Linz before Liverpool train at the Raiffeisen Arena.
Liverpool travelling squad: Alisson, Gomez, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez, Wirtz, Mac Allister, Tsimikas, Munoz, Mamardashvili, Woodman, Barcola, Frimpong, Araujo, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Chambers, McConnell, Koumas, Ngumoha, Danns, Sonni-Lambie, Lucky.
