Union 2-1 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp's youthful side defeated in ...
Liverpool rounded off UEFA Europa League Group E with a defeat as a much-changed side lost 2-1 against Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium.
The Merseysiders had already secured top spot and a place in the last 16 with a game to spare, allowing Jurgen Klopp to name the youngest-ever European starting XI in the club’s history.
As a result, it was perhaps no surprise that the Belgian outfit were on top throughout and they opened the scoring on 30 minutes when Mohammed Amoura beat a high line to fortuitously round Caoimhin Kelleher and tuck into an empty net.
Liverpool had barely threatened but levelled on 40 minutes through Jarell Quansah’s thumping shot off a right-wing corner.
However, Union SG deservedly restored their lead prior to the interval when Cameron Puertas beat Kelleher at his right-hand post with a low snap-shot.
Puertas had the ball in the back of the net again in the second half as the home team remained dominant, but it was ruled out for an offside in the build-up.
Liverpool continued to look somewhat toothless in the final third and went down to just a third defeat in their last 35 matches across all competitions.
The result means Liverpool finish on 12 points ahead of Toulouse, who head into the UEFA Europa League play-offs courtesy of clinching second spot.
Union SG end up third and will drop into the UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs. LASK finish bottom of Group E.
Premier League leaders Liverpool will now switch focus to Sunday where they will likely welcome back their big-name stars for the clash with Manchester United at Anfield.
Talking Point – Defeat on the night but invaluable experience for The Reds’ young guns
It was never really about the result with qualification already in the bag. Instead, it was the perfect opportunity for Klopp to make full use of his squad. He named six players aged 20 and under in his starting XI with only Wataru Endo and Jarell Quansah retaining their places from the weekend success over Palace.
Youngsters Luke Chambers, Conor Bradley, Kaide Gordon and Ben Doak all featured from the off and endured tough evenings, but the experience will serve them well in their development.
The bigger picture for Liverpool is that the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold all enjoyed a rest ahead of a run of key fixtures over the festive period.
Player of the match
Mohammed Amoura (Union SG). The pacy forward capped a lively showing with a goal and a big role in USG’s second of the night.
Player Ratings
UNION SG: Moris 6, Mac Allister 7, Burgess 7, Machida 7, Castro-Montes 7, Amani 8, Sadiki 7, Lapoussin 7, Nilsson 6, Puertas 8, Amoura 8*. Subs: Rodriguez 6, Rsmussen 6, Ayensa n/a.
LIVERPOOL: Kelleher 8, Chambers 6, Konate 6, Quansah 7, Bradley 6, Jones 6, Endo 5, Elliott 5, Gordon 5, Doak 5, Gakpo 5. Subs: Gomez 6, Gravenberch 6, McConnell 5, Scanlon 5, Nunez 5.
Match Highlights
22’ – UNION SG CHANCE! Nilsson turns into space down the right and drives in on goal. He's faced by the advancing Kelleher who produces an excellent block to keep out his low shot.
32’ – GOAL! – Union SG 1-0 Liverpool (Amoura): Amoura darts beyond the visitors' high line and rampages towards Kelleher. The forward gets some real fortune with a ricochet rounding the keeper, but he wriggles free to roll the ball into an empty net.
40’ – GOAL! – Union SG 1-1 Liverpool (Quansah): The visitors pull level as Quansah takes down Jones' right-wing corner and sizzles a bullet of a shot beyond the keeper.
43’ – GOAL! – Union SG 2-1 Liverpool (Puertas): A slick move down the left ends with Puertas drilling a low shot beyond Kelleher at his near post.
Key Stat
