"These are the Champions..."
Is not what was playing across the Anfield tannoy the last time Liverpool met Austrian side LASK in a European competition.
Last time, the Reds faced "Die Schwarz-Weißen" (The Black-Whites) in the Europa League group stage, and were victorious in both fixtures. 1-3 in the away fixture, and 4-0 at home.
At the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, Austria, the Reds were wearing purple and came from a goal down thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah after Florian Flecker had put the home side infront.
At home, there was less drama, with Liverpool running riot after goals from Diaz, a brace from Cody Gakpo and (you guessed it) Salah.
Following the draw on Thursday night, Liverpool have been drawn away to LASK, the Austrian side who are second in the league, level on points with Rapid Wien.
Additionally, the Reds will face Atletico Madrid, FC Porto, Villareal and RC Lens at home, then will travel to Inter Milan, Club Brugge and Fenerbahçe.
So, in the three years since these two last met, what has changed?
Big name changes and trophies won
Firstly, there's been a lot of changes in personnel amongst the Liverpool squad. Jurgen Klopp, Salah, Diaz, Nunez, Ibrahima Konate, Thiago and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all big-names who are no longer at the club.
Since 2023-24, the Reds have won the league, under Arne Slot, and then he was sacked one year later.
That season, Liverpool won their final trophy under Klopp, the Carabao Cup against Chelsea in extra time.
In 2025, the Reds signed a lucrative deal with Adidas, moving on from Nike, and also signed two major superstars in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. And hopefully Bradley Barcola too.
Much like their European counterparts, the Austrian side have navigated an equally eventful and volatile stretch in recent seasons.
LASK enjoyed a solid domestic campaign in 2023/24, securing a third-place finish in the Austrian Bundesliga alongside an Austrian Cup quarter-final run.However, their European form faltered as they crashed out in the Europa League group stage.
But the year after, they finished seventh in the league, which meant they were in the relegation group.
The bottom six teams are cast into a brutal home-and-away scrap to avoid finishing bottom and tumbling into the 2. Liga. LASK successfully dodged disaster, topping the relegation group to snatch a unexpected route into the Conference League play-offs.
Not confusing at all.
Miraculously though in 2025-26, LASK finished first in the league and also won the Austrian cup. A mixed bag for both Liverpool and Die Schwarz-Weißen in the past three years.
Looking to the future
LASK have been handed one of the most demanding schedules in the league phase, featuring a home clash against Liverpool alongside a trip to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. It poses a formidable tactical challenge, but one their players will embrace as a dream opportunity to compete with Europe's elite.
Liverpool had a decent draw, all things considered. Even if Andoni Iraola is remaining diplomatic in his thoughts on the opponents.
Atletico and Inter could prove to be tricky, but the Reds have done well against both sides in the past. Similarly with Porto and Villareal.
However, RC Lens and Fenerbahçe could prove to be trickier ties than many may think. Lens finished second in Ligue 1 last year, and the Reds have struggled playing away in Turkey.
The first round of games will be played between September 8th and 10th, with full confirmation to come this Saturday 29th August.
Until then, the Reds are next in action against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday at 12:30pm BST.
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