UEL: Reds sure love a comeback, Boniface keeps on giving

Liverpool came from behind to make a winning start to their Europa League campaign as second-half goals from Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz inspired Jürgen Klopp’s side to a 3-1 win over LASK Linz. The result extends the Reds’ unbeaten record in all competitions to 17 matches (12 wins, five draws).

Back in the Europa League for the first time since losing to Sevilla in the 2016 final, Liverpool travelled to Austria full of confidence after a superb start to the domestic season. An opening clash against in-form LASK promised to be a stern test, however, and it was the hosts who took a shock lead in the 14th minute when Florian Flecker fired a stunning long-range strike into the far corner.

Having fallen behind for the fourth time in their last five matches, Liverpool went in pursuit of an immediate response, but clear-cut chances came at a premium as LASK held firm during a closely-fought opening half-hour. The visitors continued to probe for an equaliser with halftime approaching, however, Tobias Lawal denied Núñez from point-blank range as the Austrian side went into the interval with a slender advantage.

Despite Liverpool’s uninspiring first-half performance, Klopp resisted the temptation to ring the changes at the break, and the visitors were gifted a route back into the contest within 10 minutes of the restart when Philipp Ziereis fouled Díaz in the box. That allowed Núñez to step up to the spot, and the Uruguayan fired home into the top-right corner to level the scores. Armed with the momentum, the Reds struck again just seven minutes later through Díaz, who finished brilliantly from Ryan Gravenberch’s driven delivery.

Clearly taken aback by the visitors’ quick-fire double, LASK looked to regain some semblance of composure heading into the final 20 minutes as they chased an unlikely late equaliser. However, it was Liverpool who added gloss to the scoreline through substitute Mohamed Salah as the Reds secured three hard-earned points, continuing their good form ahead of a home clash against West Ham United at the weekend. As for LASK, the Austrian side will be desperate to bounce back as soon as possible after suffering just their second defeat in 17 European matches.

Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen eased to a 4-0 victory over debutants BK Häcken in their opening Europa League group stage clash, as Xabi Alonso’s side made it 25 goals in just six matches so far this campaign.

Leverkusen showed why they’ve started so strongly in the Bundesliga this season as they peppered Häcken’s goal in the opening stages. The breakthrough came in the 10th minute when Florian Wirtz delightfully chipped goalkeeper Peter Abrahamsson - his ninth goal in European club competition - after an incisive through ball from Victor Boniface.

Leverkusen’s second came just six minutes later, as Amine Adli struck sweetly on the volley after a pinpoint pass from Granit Xhaka. Armed with all the momentum, Boniface had a further goal ruled out for offside following a breakaway, but Häcken - grateful for that reprieve - started building pressure towards the end of the half, as debutant Matej Kovar was forced into two needed saves.

Häcken built on their late pressure in the first half, and had a penalty shout on the hour mark when Amor Layouni was challenged in the box - but nothing was given after a VAR check. Despite the visitors’ best efforts, Boniface added a third with a low effort under the goalkeeper a few minutes later - carrying on his fine form in the competition after scoring six times for Union Saint-Gilloise last campaign.

Leverkusen scored a fourth with 20 minutes to go after a move that was started off by Boniface and finished by new signing Jonas Hoffman. The Nigerian was then substituted for Adam Hlozek, after being a thorn in Häcken’s side all game. The hosts took their foot off the gas in the closing stages, but were comfortable victors in the end as they continued their six-game unbeaten start to the campaign.

UEL: Lukaku scores the winner in Moldova

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 1

Thursday

LASK - Liverpool 1-3 (1-0)

/Flecker 14 - Nuneza 56, Diaz 63, Salah 88/

St.Gilloise - Toulouse 1-1 (0-1)

/Amoura 69 - Dallinga 45/

Panathinaikos - Villareal 2-0 (1-0)

/Ionnaidis 38, Sporar 78/

Rennes - Maccabi Haifa 3-0 (2-0)

/Blas 1, Truffert 31, Yildirim 55/

Servette - Slavia Praha 0-2 (0-1)

/Masopust 32, Ogbu 58/

Sheriff Tiraspol - Roma 1-2

/Tovar 57 - Kiki (og) 45-2, Lukaku 65/

Leverkusen - Hacken 4-0 (2-0)

/Wirtz 11, Adli 16, Boniface 66, Hofmann 70/

Qarabag - Molde 1-0 (0-0)

/Andrade 55/

22.00: (2.85) Olympiakos (3.40) Freiburg (2.60)

22.00: (1.12) West Ham (10.0) TSC Backa Topola (16.0)

22.00: (2.60) Ajax (3.50) Olympique Marseille (2.85)

22.00: (1.20) Brighton (6.75) AEK (14.0)

22.00: (2.65) Rangers (3.35) Betis (2.85)

22.00: (1.50) Sparta Praha (4.30) Aris Limmasol (6.50)

22.00: (1.23) Atalanta (6.25) Rakow (13.0)

22.00: (3.90) Sturm (3.60) Sporting (2.05)

***odds are subject to change