Ryan Gravenberch scored his first goal in red as Liverpool beat Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 at Anfield.
Liverpool suffered their first defeat of the season in controversial circumstances at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend after having a perfectly good Luis Diaz goal ruled out after a VAR calamity.
Attention quickly turned back to Europe as Liverpool hosted Belgian league leaders Union Saint-Gilloise at Anfield in the Europa League. After an 3-1 opening win at LASK, Liverpool looked to assert their place at the top of Group E.
Similarly to LASK, this was the first competitive meeting between the two sides. The Belgians boasted their own Mac Allister in their squad – Kevin. The brother of Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.
Jurgen Klopp named a strong starting eleven, with Trent Alexander-Arnold returning to the lineup as captain. Ryan Gravenberch started with Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott in midfield. And there was even a start for Mohamed Salah in attack.
Liverpool were the dominant side in the first half, with the best chance falling to Darwin Nunez, who missed what can only be called an ‘unmissable’ chance. A tap in, if you will after Salah provided from the right hand side. The Uruguayan won’t want to see the replay of that.
The opening goal for the Reds came after Alexander-Arnold’s effort was spilled by Anthony Moris, presenting Gravenberch a tap in. He won’t score an easier goal in his career, but they all count. And this one will certainly mean a lot to the Dutch midfielder.
Half-time arrived shortly after, and with the scoreline at a vulnerable position for Liverpool, pressure was on in the second half to put the game to bed.
Gravenberch came close to a second goal in red, but was denied superbly after Moris saved the Dutchman’s curling effort. Ten minutes from time, Luis Diaz’s shot hit the far post. It just wouldn’t go in in the second half for Liverpool.
It wasn’t until the second minute of stoppage time when Diogo Jota sealed the three points for his side in front of the Kop. The Reds have six points from six in the Europa League and are top of Group E.
Unfortunately for Kevin Mac Allister and Union Saint-Gilloise, they return to Belgium home alone. I’m proud of that one.
Liverpool’s next challenge is Brighton & Hove Albion away from home in the Premier League. It’s the last game before the second international break of the season.
Kick-off is at 2pm on Sunday, 8 October – a date that will mark eight years since Jurgen Klopp took the reins at Anfield.
Liverpool team: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold (Gomez 63), Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas, Elliott, Endo (Mac Allister 46), Gravenberch (Szoboszlai 79), Salah (Jones 46), Nunez (Diaz 46), Jota.
Union Saint-Gilloise team: Moris, Castro-Montes, Mac Allister (Sykes 86), Burgess, Machida, Terho (Lapoussin 67), Amani (Rasmussen 75), Vanhoutte (Sadiki 75), Puertas, Nilsson (Rodriguez 67), Amoura.
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