Liverpool rounded off UEFA Europa League Group E with a defeat as a much-changed facet misplaced 2-1 in opposition to Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium.
The Merseysiders had already secured prime spot and a spot within the final 16 with a sport to spare, permitting Jurgen Klopp to call the youngest-ever European beginning XI within the membership’s historical past.
Because of this, it was maybe no shock that the Belgian outfit have been on prime all through they usually opened the scoring on half-hour when Mohammed Amoura beat a excessive line to fortuitously spherical Caoimhin Kelleher and tuck into an empty web.
Liverpool had barely threatened however levelled on 40 minutes by Jarell Quansah’s thumping shot off a right-wing nook.
Nonetheless, Union SG deservedly restored their lead previous to the interval when Cameron Puertas beat Kelleher at his right-hand put up with a low snap-shot.
Puertas had the ball behind the online once more within the second half as the house group remained dominant, nevertheless it was dominated out for an offside within the build-up.
Liverpool continued to look considerably toothless within the closing third and went all the way down to only a third defeat of their final 35 matches throughout all competitions.
The consequence means Liverpool end on 12 factors forward of Toulouse, who head into the UEFA Europa League play-offs courtesy of clinching second spot.
Union SG find yourself third and can drop into the UEFA Europa Convention League play-offs. LASK end backside of Group E.
Premier League leaders Liverpool will now change focus to Sunday the place they are going to probably welcome again their big-name stars for the conflict with Manchester United at Anfield.
Speaking Level – Defeat on the night time however invaluable expertise for The Reds’ younger weapons
It was by no means actually in regards to the consequence with qualification already within the bag. As a substitute, it was the right alternative for Klopp to make full use of his squad. He named six gamers aged 20 and underneath in his beginning XI with solely Wataru Endo and Jarell Quansah retaining their locations from the weekend success over Palace.
Kids Luke Chambers, Conor Bradley, Kaide Gordon and Ben Doak all featured from the off and endured powerful evenings, however the expertise will serve them nicely of their growth.
The larger image for Liverpool is that the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold all loved a relaxation forward of a run of key fixtures over the festive interval.
Participant of the match
Mohammed Amoura (Union SG). The pacy ahead capped a vigorous exhibiting with a aim and a giant function in USG’s second of the night time.
Participant Rankings
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 house down the best and drives in on aim. He is confronted by the advancing Kelleher who produces a superb block to maintain out his low shot.
32’ – GOAL! – Union SG 1-0 Liverpool (Amoura): Amoura darts past the guests’ excessive line and rampages in direction of Kelleher. The ahead will get some actual fortune with a ricochet rounding the keeper, however he wriggles free to roll the ball into an empty web.
40’ – GOAL! – Union SG 1-1 Liverpool (Quansah): The guests pull stage as Quansah takes down Jones’ right-wing nook and sizzles a bullet of a shot past the keeper.
43’ – GOAL! – Union SG 2-1 Liverpool (Puertas): A slick transfer down the left ends with Puertas drilling a low shot past Kelleher at his close to put up.
