4 talking points from Liverpool's first Europa League win over LASK

Liverpool started their first Europa League campaign since 2016 off with a bang.

Despite yet again having to recover from a poor first-half, the Reds did so in style as they went on to comfortably beat LASK 3-1.

Liverpool characteristically let their opposition get a head start against them, with the defence switching off in the 14th minute and allowing Florian Flecker to unleash a wonderful strike from the edge of the box to put LASK ahead.

Klopp's much-changed XI generated a few chances throughout the second-half, but deserved to go into the break trailing after a dismal opening 45 minutes.

However, much like many games this season, it was in fact a game of two halves with Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz both scoring within ten minutes of one another to put the Reds ahead.

Mohamed Salah was introduced late into the game and made an instant impact in classic Egyptian King style, getting himself on the scoresheet and finalising Liverpool's 3-1 win in the final moments of the game.

READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings - 3-1 victory over LASK

Here are four things we learned from the fixture...

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FIRST ASSIST FOR GRAVENBERCH

It didn't take long for Liverpool's fourth and final summer signing to show what he is capable of in a Reds shirt, with the Dutchman registering a superb assist to round off a solid performance on his full debut for the club.

Much like the rest of the starting XI, Gravenberch had a quiet first half, but was still able to show his strength in the tackle and ability on the half-turn.

Although in the second-half, coinciding with Liverpool's turn in form, the midfielder really excelled. He broke up play well and made several attacking runs from deep - one of which resulted in the second Liverpool goal.

After bursting down the right flank on the counter attack, Gravenberch was found in space and whipped an inch-perfect ball into Luis Diaz' path, which the Colombian dispatched with ease.

The 21-year-old unfortunately didn't play the full 90 minutes and was forced off with 15 minutes remaining, and after that performance, supporters will be praying that his substitution was more to do with fitness or a minor knock than a more serious injury.

KLOPP MAKES HISTORY

A Europa League win against LASK usually wouldn't be particularly special for a team like Liverpool, but when it also happens to yet again cement Jurgen Klopp's name into Liverpool history, this result was massive.

The 3-1 victory was the German's 50th European win as Liverpool manager, a feat that no other Reds boss has achieved in history. That's certainly one to tell the grandkids.

While Klopp's elite mentality will stop him from thinking about anything other than three points, this is certainly a special occasion and yet another reason why every Liverpool supporter in the world regards the 56-year-old as one of the club's greatest ever managers.

This may not have been a glamorous Champions League final, but it was a valiant comeback and a comprehensive win that will now go down in history. Not bad for a Thursday night.

MAGICAL MO

Every football fan in the world understands how prolific Mohamed Salah is - he is guaranteed to score a minimum of 30 goals every single season and will go down in history as one of the game's greatest ever forwards.

However, the level of inevitability the Egyptian has to his game is quite frankly becoming a joke. Salah has provided a goal contribution in every single competitive game so far this season, and despite being on the bench until the 75th minute, the clash with LASK was no different.

The 31-year-old entered the field with 15 minutes left to play and was instantly at the centre of every Liverpool attack. In spite of his usual electric cameos, Ben Doak had a quiet game, and when Salah came on, the Austrian side's defence didn't know how to deal with him.

This culminated in the Reds' third goal, with the winger picking up the ball just inside of the box and poking it home to continue his perfect start to the 2023/24 campaign and secure Liverpool's 3-1 win on the night.

DARWIN ON FIRE

Darwin Nunez might be one of the most fun footballers to watch in the world at the moment. When he plays, he gives his absolute all and creates an abundance of chances.

This was no different against LASK, with the Reds' number nine having several shots in the first half, most notably his point-blank header which was remarkably saved by Tobias Lawal.

In the second half, however, he really came alive and was a constant threat once Liverpool really got a hold of the game. Not only did he provide the assist for Salah's strike in the 88th minute, but the Uruguayan cooly slotted home a penalty to draw Liverpool level.

While he is usually far down the pecking order of Liverpool's penalty takers, Salah, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were all on the bench when Luis Diaz was taken out early in the second half, and Nunez took full advantage as he secured his first European goal of the season.

It's simple. When Nunez plays, he gets goals.