Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool LIVE: Europa League result and reaction as Quansah scores in defeat
Liverpool might have already qualified in top spot for the Europa League knockout stages, but were unable to maintain the winning momentum against Union Saint-Gilloise as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat in Belgium.
Jurgen Klopp’s side did not need anything out of the game, but with an average age of the starting XI of just 22 and a half, the Reds were unable to impose themselves at the same level as USG.
Jarell Quansah wrote his name into the history books with his first club goal, that briefly levelled the tie inside the first half, but USG came back with a second almost immediately.
Despite bringing on the likes of Joe Gomez, Darwin Nunez and Ryan Gravenberch in the second half, Liverpool could not find a second equaliser, and instead it was VAR who overruled a third goal from USG.
USG finished the group in third place and will go into the Europa Conference League play-offs in February.
Follow all the live action in the blog below and get the latest odds and tips here.
Liverpool travel to Belgium for their final Europa League group game
Liverpool have already qualified for the knockout stages in top spot
GOAL! Mohamed Amoura scores - Union Saint-Gilloise 1-0 Liverpool [33’]
GOAL! Jarell Quansah scores - Union Saint-Gilloise 1-1 Liverpool [40’]
GOAL! Cameron Puertas scores - Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool [44’]
HT: Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
Goal disallowed VAR - Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool [61’]
FT: Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise 2 - 1 Liverpool FC
FT: Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:41 , Sonia Twigg
Full-time: Well it was not the result the young Reds would have wanted. For many of them it was a first taste of starting in European football, but the Belgian side were just too polished and hit quickly on the break which proved too much for them.
Despite bringing on the experience in the likes of Gomez, Nunez, and Gravenberch, Liverpool could not find the equaliser, and instead were fortunate USG had a third goal ruled out.
Elliott almost had a chance in the final moments of stoppage time, but it was not to be and USG celebrate a victory.
Liverpool still finish top of the group, and a lot of youngsters will have gained a valuable experience.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:38 , Sonia Twigg
90+3’ Time is running out for the equaliser, there is a ball launched in the direction of Nunez but it does not fall to the striker.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:36 , Sonia Twigg
90+2’ Scanlon has just been shown a yellow card, there wasn’t much contact, but USG will have another chance to attack.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:35 , Sonia Twigg
90+1’ There will be five minutes of stoppage time
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:33 , Sonia Twigg
88’ SAVE! Kelleher makes a full-stretch sprawling save to deny USG their third goal of the game.
The corner comes in and again the Liverpool goalkeeper is there to punch the ball away.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:32 , Sonia Twigg
87’ Another player down this time Liverpool’s O’Connell, who has only just come on will receive some treatment.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:31 , Sonia Twigg
86’ There’s another stoppage, and what looks like a second USG player down with cramp. You wouldn’t have thought this game has been fast-paced and energetic enough to cause that, at least in normal time, but there you go.
Quansah has just lunged two-footed into a challenge, fortunately for Liverpool he got the ball, but that was certainly reckless.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:29 , Sonia Twigg
84’ The game is back underway, and Liverpool are looking for an equaliser.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:28 , Sonia Twigg
83’ There’s just a brief passage in play while a USG player receives some treatment.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:26 , Sonia Twigg
81’ Liverpool are finally taking a foothold in this match, Elliott finds space on the right and he tries to cross for Nunez, it is just over his head, but finally the Reds are on top and looking like an attacking threat.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:24 , Sonia Twigg
79’ SAVE! Gravenberch has forced a save! He made his way through the lines and found enough space to get his shot away forcing the goalkeeper into a parried-save.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:22 , Sonia Twigg
77’ Elliott has just started to get involved in the game and has won a free kick in what could be a dangerous position.
Jones lifted the ball into the area but it was cleared by the first man. Liverpool have not been great going forwards in this match.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:20 , Sonia Twigg
75’ Another Liverpool substitution, this time Gordon is coming off for McConnell.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:18 , Sonia Twigg
73’ The game has slowed down quite a bit with Liverpool in possession, although the ball is played to Nunez, who tries to find Gravenberch, but he was off balance and ended up scuffing the opportunity.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:17 , Sonia Twigg
72’ SAVE! Kelleher has to make another save! Amoura put it onto his right foot, but didn’t hit it hard enough to get it past the goalkeeper.
USG are pushing for another goal here.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:15 , Sonia Twigg
71’ CHANCE! Amoura picks out Nilsson, who has an unmarked header just a few yards out, but he has put it wide of the target and that is a bit of a let off for Liverpool.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:13 , Sonia Twigg
68’ Yet again Liverpool have to clear the ball, Jones, who started the game as captain, but gave the armband to Gomez at half time, has cleared the ball, but they have been on the back foot.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:11 , Sonia Twigg
66’ Darwin Nunez has come on for Doak in all of that confusion, Klopp is definitely going for the win here.
Nunez has also not scored for a while and Klopp may sense an opportunity for him to regain some form.
VAR overuled! Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:09 , Sonia Twigg
64’ VAR! The goal has been overruled by a handball by Amani in the build up to the goal, before he played in Puertas and after consulting the monitor the referee has ruled out the strike.
GOAL! Puertas scores! Union Saint-Gilloise 3-1 Liverpool
19:07 , Sonia Twigg
61’ GOAL! Puertas scores his second! Gomez was just caught trying to deal with two players, and he had his hand up for offside, but the ball was fed to Puertas by Amani and he stroked the ball into the corner, past Kelleher.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:05 , Sonia Twigg
60’ Gomez makes a challenge in the box but he just gets enough on the ball to turn it behind for a corner.USG can attack from the set piece, but it is eventually scrambled clear by those in red, although Gakpo was dispossessed on the break.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:03 , Sonia Twigg
58’ Liverpool’s final ball is just not quite there, Elliott tries to pick out Doak on the left, but he is caught offside.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
19:00 , Sonia Twigg
55’ Liverpool are gaining confidence on the ball, it looks like the two substitutions made at half time have had an impact. That being said, they have yet to create a chance for an equaliser.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
18:57 , Sonia Twigg
52’ Again USG have attacked on the break however, and Liverpool are struggling to contain that particular threat.
They are able to scramble it away.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
18:55 , Sonia Twigg
50’ There has not been much to note of this half so far, but Liverpool have had a lot more of the possession than they did in the first, especially in midfield.
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
18:51 , Sonia Twigg
47’ The Konate substitution I am assuming is precautionary, with Matip injured Klopp does not want to risk either of his more senior centre-backs.
But Endo was expected to play a leading role in this match, and has been replaced by Gravenberch, could that be a sign that Klopp is not happy with the midfielder’s performance?
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
18:50 , Sonia Twigg
46’ Endo is off for Gravenberch and Gomez has come on for Konate as the second half gets underway.
HT: Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
18:49 , Sonia Twigg
The second half is about the get underway, and it looks like Liverpool could be about to make some changes.
HT: Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
18:45 , Sonia Twigg
HT: Liverpool’s young team will have learned a lot from that first half, but it will be interesting to see if Jurgen Klopp chooses to make changes.
Elliott and Jones are the two most experienced players in the team at Liverpool and they will want to establish themselves more in the midfield as the game goes forward.
HT: Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
18:40 , Sonia Twigg
Here are some photos from the first half:
HT: Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
18:34 , Sonia Twigg
HT: That’s the half-time break. Quansah has his first club goal, when he was completely unmarked from a corner.
But Liverpool have looked fallible on the flanks and that’s what USG have looked to attack, and they have done so to great effect.
Union Saint Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
18:33 , Sonia Twigg
44’ Nearly at half time and despite a slow start, it turned into a bit of a frantic end of the first half, three goals from the half hour mark onwards.
GOAL! Puertas restores hosts’ lead - Union Saint Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
18:30 , Sonia Twigg
44’ GOAL! Puertas scores!
Liverpool gave the ball away cheaply on the touchline, but Amoura, who scored the first goal, found Puertas who struck the ball cleanly and expertly into the back of the net.
Union Saint-Gilloise 1-1 Liverpool
18:29 , Sonia Twigg
42’ Liverpool might not necessarily have deserved the equaliser, but they have it, and having been denied a first club goal already, it will be a big deal for Quansah, who has been thrust into the starting XI in some big games already this season.
GOAL! Jarell Quansah scores for Liverpool! Union Saint-Gilloise 1-1 Liverpool
18:26 , Sonia Twigg
40’ GOAL! Quansah scores! It was an amazing moment of skill, and did not look at all like a defender’s goal, he took a touch to control it in the box before firing into the back of the net.
What a moment to remember, a first Liverpool goal.
Union Saint-Gilloise 1-0 Liverpool
18:24 , Sonia Twigg
37’ Another moment of danger! It was a nice turn from Puertas and Liverpool’s defenders had to be alert in the centre of the box to head behind for a corner.
Union Saint-Gilloise 1-0 Liverpool
18:22 , Sonia Twigg
35’ Liverpool were just not quite enough and were undone with a well-hit but straightforward ball over the top, although it was a good finish from Amoura.
VAR check! Union Saint-Gilloise 1-0 Liverpool
18:20 , Sonia Twigg
34’ HOLD ON A MINUTE! There is a VAR check for offside, and it is going on for a while, but the goal has eventually been given.
GOAL! Mohamed Amoura Union Saint-Gilloise 1-0 Liverpool
18:19 , Sonia Twigg
33’ GOAL! The home side take the lead! Mohamed Amoura is played through, and Amoura beats Konate to the ball before taking it round the keeper and slotting into the back of the net!
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
18:17 , Sonia Twigg
31’ There’s a brief pause in play for injury and that allows Liverpool’s team to run over to the touchline and get a drink and also instructions from Klopp.
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
18:16 , Sonia Twigg
29’ Nearly half an hour into the match and USG have come closer to scoring than the visitors.
They have lacked the final spark in the attacking third, and Kelleher was called upon to make a good save, but Liverpool’s young team has looked a bit questionable at the back and struggled to link up going forwards.
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
18:13 , Sonia Twigg
26’ It has not been a match so far of the highest quality, whic h is probably to be expected given the number of changes, but there have been glimpses of quality, and Liverpool have looked to pick out Gakpo in the central role when they can.
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
18:10 , Sonia Twigg
23’ Bradley has just been shown a yellow card, he has had injury problems, but down the flanks has been Liverpool’s weakness so far in this game.
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
18:08 , Sonia Twigg
21’ SAVE! Kelleher makes a key save! A long ball found Nilsson, who all too easily shrugged of Quansah before taking the shot, but the goalkeeper was quick to get down and make the save.
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
18:07 , Sonia Twigg
20’ Liverpool have somehow had almost all of the possession, despite the number of teenagers in the starting XI, and USG have struggled to impose themselves on the game, despite being at home, and still having something to play for.
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
18:03 , Sonia Twigg
17’ It has not been a fluid game, and at times been a bit scrappy, but the ball fell to Gakpo between the two centre-backs and he was not strong enough to carve out a real chance under pressure from the two defenders.
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
18:01 , Sonia Twigg
14’ So far it is just looking a bit too physical for the young Reds, they are regularly being pushed off the ball against the more experienced USG.
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
17:59 , Sonia Twigg
12’ The home crowd are in good voice, and there’s a good ball in that is just headed wide by Koki Machida
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
17:56 , Sonia Twigg
9’ Liverpool’s defenders are being pulled all over the place here as the home side look to attack on the break.
Someone is going to have to stand up and be a leader at the back and organise the young players, and a backline that might never have played together before.
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
17:54 , Sonia Twigg
7’ Harvey Elliott has looked dangerous with his delivery from set pieces, but Liverpool have been on the back foot whenever they do surge forwards.
The youngsters are slightly being played and might have to be a bit more organised at the back while Konate tries to play a leading role.
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
17:51 , Sonia Twigg
4’ Straight away at the other end there is a break and Liverpool find themselves on the back foot before Kelleher is able to gather.
This has started with quite a lot of energy, and at least for Liverpool, there are a lot of youngsters wanting to make an impression on the manager.
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
17:50 , Sonia Twigg
3’ Liverpool have their first chance, a free kick, but they take it short and Doak’s attempted cross from the touchline is straight at the goalkeeper
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
17:48 , Sonia Twigg
2’ If Liverpool score a goal it will be the 2,000th under Klopp’s management, and could it come from this team of youngsters?
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Liverpool
17:47 , Sonia Twigg
1’ Liverpool kick off and the match is underway in Belgium
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
17:45 , Sonia Twigg
Liverpool have an average age of just 22 and a half, so it will be a match of reckoning and opportunity for the youngsters.
Endo is the oldest player at 27 years old.
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
17:44 , Sonia Twigg
Liverpool’s youngsters are ready and the match is about to get underway.
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
17:42 , Sonia Twigg
Now just minutes away from kick off, here are some photos of the players warming up:
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
17:39 , Sonia Twigg
Klopp said on Harvey Elliott: “Who wants to be a super sub? But he takes it in a really good way.
“It’s not about when you play, it’s about how you play and what you contribute and Harvey is obviously a really important player for us.
“He starts, he comes on, he is a really important player, the more impact he has, the more he will start, but with the amount of games we have he cannot start all the time.
“He will have his minutes tonight and it will hopefully be a good game.”
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
17:37 , Sonia Twigg
Klopp on making Curtis Jones captain: “He’s the longest in the club - I don’t think a lot about these kind of things to be honest.
“It makes absolute sense that he leads this team and I’m pretty sure he enjoys the role as well, so it’s just a sign - he is maybe eldest of the youngest and still very young himself.
“He has a lot of important games for us already in his legs and he can be a real role model for the kids and I hope he shows that on the pitch.”
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
17:33 , Sonia Twigg
Jurgen Klopp explained to TNT that the nature of Liverpool having already-qualified allowed him to make the changes.
The Liverpool manager said: “It’s always really important that we can do these kind of things. The main job in the group is done, we qualified for the next time and we have to come here today - and with the amount of games that we have we have to make sure that we find the right line-up for each game and for tonight it is obviously the right opportunity for us.
“It’s a nice mix between experience and real youth and I hope the boys enjoy it and that would be the idea behind (the changes).
“I just want to see the boys are cheeky in moments and show their ability and are ready to work hard as well.”
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
17:32 , Sonia Twigg
Waturu Endo was one of just two players to keep their spots from the weekend, and here is a closer look at the midfielder:
Liverpool summer signing Wataru Endo has found the Premier League more difficult than he expected but is confident he can improve and contribute more.
The 30-year-old Japan international, a £12million arrival from Stuttgart, was viewed as something of a stop-gap solution to the club’s lack of defensive midfielders following Fabinho’s unexpected departure to Saudi Arabia.
Wataru Endo: Adapting to Premier League with Liverpool ‘harder than I thought’
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
17:24 , Sonia Twigg
While this match is not expected to be the main event in Liverpool’s week - that will be the visit of Manchester United in the Premier League at the weekend, and there will be more fans than usual in attendance:
Liverpool expect to have 57,000 fans in attendance for the visit of Manchester United providing the new Anfield Road Stand receives a safety certificate this week.
A test event on Monday evening is set to be attended by 7,500-plus supporters, who will watch a LFC Foundation mini-game and listen to a question-and-answer session from manager Jurgen Klopp.
Increased capacity of 57,000 expected at Anfield for Liverpool v Man Utd clash
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
17:14 , Sonia Twigg
Just over half an hour away from kick off and the main talking point surrounds the chance Jurgen Klopp has given his young players, it will be a good chance for them to prove themselves against a side who still have a chance at qualification.
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
17:05 , Sonia Twigg
Here is a look at the win that sealed Liverpool’s top spot in the group:
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp declared himself satisfied with the 4-0 victory over LASK which secured top spot in their Europa League group with a match to spare.
Two goals from Cody Gakpo and one apiece from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah, his 199th for the club, saw them coast past the Austrians at Anfield.
Toulouse’s draw with Union Saint-Gilloise meant Klopp’s side cannot be caught at the top and crucially that means avoiding the play-off round when the competition restarts in February.
Jurgen Klopp satisfied as Liverpool secure top spot with a game to spare
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
16:55 , Sonia Twigg
With top spot secure, Liverpool play their final Europa League group fixture against Union Saint-Gilloise.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will qualify directly into the last 16 of the second-tier continental competition regardless of their result in Belgium, but will want to maintain momentum with a winning finish after moving to the top of the Premier League last weekend.
Their Belgian opponents still have an outside chance of progressing to the knockout round play-offs, but are reliant on Toulouse taking no points from their trip to bottom-placed LASK and overturning a goal difference disadvantage.
Is Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch
Liverpool team news
16:44 , Sonia Twigg
Liverpool have kept just two starting XI players from their 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on the weekend, with Jurgen Klopp making nine changes.
As expected, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgin van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have not made the trip.
Only Jarell Quansah and Waturu Endo have stayed in the 11, while youngsters Ben Doak, Luke Chambers, Conor Bradley and Kaide Gordon have all been handed an opportunity to impress.
Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Chambers, Konate, Quansah, Bradley, Jones, Endo, Elliott, Gordon, Doak, Gakpo.
Subs: Pitaluga, Mrozek, Gomez, Tsimikas, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, McConnell, Scanlon, Diaz, Nunez, Koumas, Hill.
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
16:40 , Sonia Twigg
A bit of an in-joke between sections of Liverpool fans over recent seasons has been to loosely refer to themselves with a word which others have complained about or called them across the campaign: Penaltypool, the tricky Reds, and so on. So for 2023/24, perhaps we’ll refer to them as the late rewrite Reds. After all, they seem increasingly fond of turning defeat into victory at the latest possible moment.
Two goals in the final 12 minutes - plus a lot of stoppage time - gave them a comeback victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon, sending them top of the Premier League in the process ahead of Arsenal and the rest being in action across the weekend.
Late goals put Liverpool top - but only key duo at the back can keep them there
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
16:30 , Sonia Twigg
Mohamed Salah believes Liverpool possess a similar mentality to their last title-winning side after his 200th goal for the Reds sparked a 2-1 comeback over 10-man Crystal Palace.
Jurgen Klopp’s men failed to register a shot on target in the first half at Selhurst Park, where the hosts were hoping to bounce back from a disappointing midweek defeat to Bournemouth after which boss Roy Hodgson pleaded for disillusioned fans not to abandon ship.
Mohamed Salah makes Liverpool title comparison as Reds go top of Premier League
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
16:10 , Sonia Twigg
Before we look ahead to the match coming up, here’ s a look back at the weekend’s match written by Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney.
If Jurgen Klopp was not in the mood to joke about early kick-offs before Saturday’s game, he was afterwards more than willing to make light about how long they go on for. It was put to the Liverpool manager that Harvey Elliott’s 91st-minute goal at Crystal Palace was the 16th stoppage-time match-winner of his time at Liverpool.
“Yeah, but it gets easier because we play 15 minutes extra.”
Liverpool’s new habit shows how Jurgen Klopp has reinvented Reds
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool
14:35 , Sonia Twigg
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live blog of Union Saint Gilloise vs Liverpool in the Europa League.
The Reds have already qualified in the top spot, so may use the match to give a much-needed rest ahead of the congested festive fixture schedule, but we will know when the team news comes out.
Stay tuned for all the build up to the match.
