Michael Owen believes Jurgen Klopp will be 'concerned' by problem in Liverpool's UEFA Europa League victory

Michael Owen believes Jurgen Klopp will be concerned after Liverpool were once again forced to come from behind as they began their UEFA Europa League campaign with a win.

Liverpool beat Austrian side LASK 3-1 in their Europa League opener on Thursday, after Klopp named a completely different starting XI to the team that beat Wolves 3-1 on Saturday.

It was a decision that looked like it might backfire when Florian Flecker gave the hosts an early lead with a rasping low drive from a corner.

Liverpool were given a lifeline early in the second half when they were awarded a contentious penalty, and Darwin Nunez made no mistake from 12 yards. Luis Diaz put the 2019 UEFA Champions League winners ahead and second-half substitute Mohamed Salah made the result safe with a superb solo effort.

Klopp’s side have had to come from behind to win in four of their six matches in all competitions this season, something former Liverpool striker Owen thinks might concern the manager.

“I think he will be slightly concerned," Owen told TNT Sports, with discovery+ the only place to watch the UEFA Champions League live.

"He’ll probably look at it and think, ‘why has that happened?'

“Is it a coincidence, or is it happening too much to not draw some conclusions from it?

“But the overriding feeling will be relief, it’s a great first result away from home. You get three points, and all of a sudden you’re in a really strong position.

“He’ll [Klopp] be delighted, but there will be a few little concerns about why it’s happening all the time. But they’ve got some character to come back like they do and go on to win.”

Former Premier League midfielder Steve Sidwell agreed with Owen, and was particularly unimpressed by Liverpool’s first-half showing.

“I thought in the first half it was a below-par performance from everyone,” Sidwell said. “[In the second half] they had a bit more desire to get in behind, show a bit more quality and just do the basics well. They were so sloppy in the first half.”

Nunez’s expertly dispatched penalty got Liverpool back into the game, but Owen felt good fortune more than played its part.

He said: “I felt they were very lucky to get the penalty. I don’t think it was a penalty at all.”

It was Salah who got the job done for Liverpool, scoring the goal that put the game beyond Lask, but Sidwell believes ideally he would not have been on the field.

“To have him [Salah] on the pitch, the reinforcements that were needed, I’m sure Klopp will not be happy," Sidwell said.

Elsewhere in Group E, Union St. Gilloise drew 1-1 at home to Toulouse. The Belgian outfit will travel to Anfield on Thursday, October 5, before The Reds host Toulouse three weeks later.

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