Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool: Fringe players get minutes on underwhelming night in Belgium

It was a much-altered Liverpool XI for their game against Union Saint-Gilloise — a benefit of winning their Europa League group with a match to spare. But it wasn’t an easy evening for Jurgen Klopp’s mixture of youngsters and fringe players, with their Belgian opponents repeatedly cutting through them in the first half.

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The likes of Joe Gomez, Ryan Gravenberch and Darwin Nunez were summoned from the bench after the break in Brussels but an energetic Union Saint-Gilloise (USG) still carried most of the threat. Liverpool ended the game having had a total of one shot in the first half and three in the second.

Here, Gregg Evans breaks down some of the key points from the game…

How did Liverpool’s fringe players get on?

Manager Klopp predicted a difficult night against the side who are top of the Belgian Pro League but even after naming Liverpool’s youngest-ever starting XI (with an average age of 22 years and 156 days) in a European match, he surely would have expected more than this from his chosen back line.

USG repeatedly targeted the flanks in the first half and were quick to pounce on Liverpool’s inexperience. Conor Bradley, the 20-year-old right-back looked troubled early on and things were not much better for Luke Chambers, 19, as the other full-back. Both were left exposed and rarely threatened going forward. That Kaide Gordon, 19, and Ben Doak, 18, both started in wide attacking areas also played a part. A lack of experience on both flanks was clearly tempting to their opponents, and both their goals came via clever play down the wings, where they found plenty of space.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher maybe could have done better with a one-on-one for the first goal and was beaten at his near post for what proved the decisive second.

Were there any bright moments for Liverpool?

This wasn’t a night of many positive displays but for some of the players, the picture was much bigger. How good was it to see Gordon, who hadn’t featured for the first team for almost two years due to a pelvic growth issue, back out there? Brighter times for him will surely follow.

For Bradley, this was a first start in European football and the minutes will help him. Doak, Chambers and substitute Calum Scanlon, too.

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Seeing Scouser Curtis Jones captaining the side was pleasing but perhaps the most satisfied player will be 20-year-old Jarell Quansah, the strapping centre-half who scored his first senior goal for the club with a finish any striker would be proud of — a real standout moment on a largely underwhelming night.

Klopp’s plan to blood some of the talented academy graduates was positive for those who work in youth development at the club, so matches like these are always met with mixed emotions.

A difficult fixture list — including tough games ahead in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup — means opportunities to rotate in a similar manner for the rest of this season could be few and far between.

Now it’s time for Klopp to find a settled team as the busy Christmas period nears.

Will this defeat impact Liverpool’s weekend?

That Liverpool qualified for the last 16 as group winners before this group finale was the real story, so not much should be made of defeat in a game that ultimately had nothing riding on it.

With Ibrahima Konate and Wataru Endo both coming through 45 minutes unscathed, and Liverpool avoiding any other injuries, they go into Sunday’s home game against Manchester United in relatively good health and looking to build on their position as Premier League leaders.

Liverpool’s first task this season was to secure a return to the Champions League for the next one, and that looks likely at this stage. There’s a growing feeling that this could be a really special campaign, though, as they remain in every competition and appear well set up to push for honours.

Allowing key players including Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah the rest they needed — all stayed back in the UK rather than make the trip to Brussels — should also keep the team fresh for the weekend. The one concern is Alexis Mac Allister, who is likely to miss out with his knee injury.

What did Jurgen Klopp say?

On the game: “”It was a deserved win for Union. They are well set up, top of the table in Belgium and a strong side. With the amount of changes we had, I’m happy that we found some rhythm in the second half, happy with that. It was tricky on a difficult pitch. A lot of players were getting cramp. In the end we could have scored an equaliser.”

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On Liverpool’s youngsters: “For some it’s a really important experience and others it was for rhythm. Some good performances. They’re top of the league in Belgium and we came here and gave it a good go. Nobody is injured so that’s a positive.”

On Konate going off at half-time: “We just want to share intensity. We shared the time in defence and midfield. The changes were planned before the game.”

What next for Liverpool?

Sunday, November 26: Manchester United (H), Premier League, 4.30pm GMT, 11.30am ET

After sailing through to the Europa League last 16, they can shelve that competition until March. Klopp’s men will now be aiming to solidify their place at the top of the Premier League and inflict more pain on Erik ten Hag and Manchester United.

Liverpool have won four of the last five matches between these fierce rivals, including 7-0 at Anfield last season.

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(Top photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)