Liverpool has been charged with disrespecting LASK, a rival in the Europa League.
As they get ready for their first season outside of the Champions League in eight years, the Reds have been paired with the Austrians.
But according to the Austrian publication Kronen Zeitung, LASK already dislikes Liverpool. That’s because, after last week’s draw, the Reds allegedly divulged some untrue information about the team. On their official website, Liverpool allegedly made two “nonsense” assertions regarding LASK.
First off, it was the year before when the Reds falsely claimed that their opponents had advanced to the last 16 of the Europa Conference League. The previous season, they spent zero time in Europe. Next, it was asserted that manager Thomas Sageder had played for LASK in the past, which was also denied as being wholly inaccurate.
The newspaper also asserts that Liverpool ought to show the Austrians a little more respect because they are “weak and embarrassing.” I’m sorry.
Liverpool is charged with disrespect.
Liverpool doesn’t look good in this situation. Even if the errors are small in and of themselves, they are also quickly refuted.
Even in the best case scenario, getting such things incorrect would demonstrate carelessness. But given that the Reds are so accustomed to playing higher calibre competition, it could be taken as disrespectful.
Liverpool obviously didn’t want for it to happen, but you can see why it was interpreted that way.
Nevertheless, in the larger scheme of things, these things don’t really matter. LASK will be treated with the utmost respect by Jurgen Klopp, his group, and the team as a whole.
Liverpool has demonstrated last season that they know how to treat European guests by mending fences with Real Madrid.
This time, they have all placed their foot in their mouth, but they will undoubtedly correct it.
On the pitch, LASK will probably have even more motivation to defeat Liverpool as if they needed it. That will require the Reds to step up, and we have no doubt that they will.
