22:56Keifer MacDonald
Liverpool cannot escape perverse irony after Jurgen Klopp gets what he needs in Union Saint-Gilloise win
Paul Gorst’s verdict from Anfield after the Reds’ clash with Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League, here.
22:47Keifer MacDonald
Alexis Mac Allister reaction
Speaking to TNT Sport, Alexis Mac Allister said of facing his brother, Kevin, at Anfield:
I said today my Dad was here, but I am sure all of my family were watching the TV because it’s something very special. My Dad has played football before so he knows more or less what it means to play against your brother because my Uncle was a player as well. Very proud and I guess he may have cried a little bit.
22:34Paul Wheelock
Jurgen Klopp reaction
Jurgen Klopp has been speaking about his Liverpool’s side 2-0 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise.
Goals at the end of each half from Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota ensured the Reds made it six points from six in Group E.
And afterwards, Reds boss Klopp told TNT Sport:
It’s a really good start. We lost rhythm slightly and gave too many set-pieces away. It was a really good beginning, lost rhythm and then played too much around the formation rather than in the formation. Should have had more direction and all these kinds of things, but you take what you can get in these moments and I thought we were really mature and professional but we could have been a lot better in a lot of moments.
22:26Paul Wheelock
Owen on Gravenberch
Also signing Ryan Gravenberch’s praises was former Reds hero Michael Owen. He told TNT Sports after the match…
I thought he was very good tonight. It was very good when you see that reaction because most people feel it inside but can hold their emotions, but why not let it out if that is how he feels. What a night for him scoring his first goal at Anfield. I think he could be a good player for Liverpool in the future. Liverpool’s midfield has been totally torn up in the summer and now there is an opportunity for whoever wants to grab it, and he’s certainly grabbed his opportunity tonight.
22:24Paul Wheelock
Ian Doyle analysis
After Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo, Liverpool may have found themselves another Dutch of class.
Ian Doyle was impressed by Ryan Gravenberch’s performance tonight – and you can read his full on-the-whistle piece on the Dutchman right HERE.
22:18Oliver King
Ryan Gravenberch reaction
On what a standing ovation meant to him: “It meant a lot. I was very happy they gave me such a good feeling so I wanted to give them something back.”
21:59Keifer MacDonald
Elsewhere in Group E
Toulouse have beaten Lask in France, which means the Ligue 1 side sit two points behind the Reds in Group E.
21:56Key Event
FT: Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
Goals from Gravenberch and Jota ensure it’s back-to-back wins in Group E for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
21:51Key Event
Goal! Liverpool 2-0 Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
Jota seals it with a cute finish inside the penalty area!
21:44Keifer MacDonald
USG change
Sykes on for Mac Allister for Union. Liverpool 1-0 on 86 minutes.
Did you know, Sykes once had a loan spell at Southport.
21:39Theo Squires
21:03Keifer MacDonald
Three Liverpool changes
Mac Allister, Jones and Diaz ON.
Salah, Nunez and Endo OFF.
21:01Ian Doyle
Reds grateful for advantage
Liverpool will be grateful for that goal.
The fizz had gone out of their game after an impressive opening, and while not exactly losing their way, they were in a bit of a lull before the counter-attack that prompted Gravenberch’s opener.
The Dutchman has been the game’s best player, but it’s obvious the Reds have more class than Union.
However, the Belgians have a lot of power in attack and look dangerous when they can stop fouling people at corners. Plenty left in this game.
20:55Theo Squires
Impressive start from Gravenberch
In just three starts for Liverpool, Ryan Gravenberch has equalled the total goal contributions Jordan Henderson produced from 43 appearances in his final season at Anfield.
20:49Ian Doyle
Ian Doyle half-time ratings
Alisson Becker 6
Took a Tsimikas pass on his chest and volleyed clear, but otherwise unemployed first half.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 7
Sought to switch the play when possible with crossfield passes and defended intently. Ambitious shot prompted the opener.
Ibrahima Konate 7
Kept things simple with Union rarely troubling the Liverpool backline first half. Good battle with the powerful Nilsson.
Jarell Quansah 6
A couple of wayward passes in an otherwise solid showing before break.
Kostas Tsimikas 7
Regularly offered himself on the overlap and delivery from set-pieces caused Union issues.
Wataru Endo 7
Imposed himself early on with some snappy challenges and neat passing at close quarters.
Harvey Elliott 6
Busy enough showing on the right side of midfield but lost the ball a bit easily on occasion.
Ryan Gravenberch 8
Very lively opening and maintained that momentum. Tested Moris in the Union goal with shot from range, and reacted quickest to net opener.
Mohamed Salah 7
A continued threat on the right, particularly when Liverpool played the ball over the top.
Darwin Nunez 7
Missed a sitter, forced two saves from Moris and pressed hard. A typical showing from the Uruguayan.
Diogo Jota 5
Ambitious appeals for a penalty but the Portuguese was largely anonymous first half.
20:48Paul Gorst
Half-time: Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
Nunez and Salah should have made the scoreline more comfortable but the excellent Gravenberch has the Reds ahead at the break. All been done in first gear so far.
20:47Keifer MacDonald
Grav the moment: A first Anfield goal for Gravenberch
Liverpool lead heading into first-half added time
Liverpool’s Dutch midfielder #38 Ryan Gravenberch (2L) scores the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League group E football match between Liverpool and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 5, 2023.
20:45Ian Doyle
Union Saint-Gilloise nearly!
Amoura runs clear of the Liverpool defence on to his own pass, clips the ball over Alisson who had come out of his area, but Konate is able to get back and clear before it crossed line. Corner for Union…
20:44Key Event
Goal! Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise (Gravenberch)
Moris spills Alexander-Arnold’s strike from distance, and Gravenberch is on hand to slot home the rebound. One goal and two assists from his three starts for Liverpool now.
20:43Theo Squires
Elsewhere in Group E
Toulouse have just gone ahead in the other game in Group E at home to LASK. As it stands, they move level on points with Liverpool, but the Reds remain top on goal difference. You’d like to think that advantage would be at least two points come 10pm.
20:37Paul Gorst
Nunez forces Moris to save well
Nunez forces Moris into a decent save with a left-footed strike at his near post. Took the long ball down well there from Konate.
20:34Theo Squires
Medical emergency in the Main Stand
Fans to the right of the press box are wanting the game stopped. Curtis Jones, who is warming up in front of them, runs over to tell the dugout.
20:27Theo Squires
Jota wants a penalty! Nothing given
Jota goes down in the box but referee isn’t interested despite the penalty appears.
20:27Paul Gorst
USG go close!
Good chance for USG as Nilsson heads over from about six yards at the back post.
20:26Ian Doyle
USG struggling with Liverpool intensity
Liverpool have dominated the possession and look very good going forward, but they haven’t found a way past Moris yet. The goalkeeper is having a good game so far, and the visitors will need him to keep that up if they are to get a result here. The Union defence has really struggled with the intensity of Liverpool’s play.
20:21Keifer MacDonald
20:20Paul Gorst
Learning curve for Nunez
Those are the sorts of chances Darwin Nunez simply has to be gobbling up as a matter of routine. It was on a plate for him from Salah and he’s somehow put it wide. It won’t affect him like, he’s brush himself off and go again but it went begging.
20:18Theo Squires
Nunez has to score!
Great chance for Nunez, that. Has missed a few already tonight, but a good striker has to be in the positions to miss them. Brilliant play from Elliott in the build-up.
20:17Paul Gorst
Strong start
Liverpool starting to turn the screw now. Elliott has just come close and Nunez’s powerful cross was palmed away by the goalkeeper before the striker has fired wide. Feels like a goal could be imminent. Liverpool have been sharp here so far.
20:15Ted Peskett
Bright start from Gravenberch
Gravenberch has started very well indeed. Covering so much ground in the USG half, and very nearly creates an opening for Salah with a lofted through-ball. He’s great to watch with the ball at his feet, galloping at defenders. Throw in his eye for a pass and shot too, and you can see why Klopp wanted him so badly
20:12Theo Squires
Different from Tsimikas
That was different. Tsimikas with an acrobatic scissor-kick back to Alisson, who controls it on his chest and volleys it back forward under pressure. Fancy.
20:11Paul Gorst
No goal!
Liverpool are certainly probing with intent in the early stages. Gravenberch looks sharp. Plenty of nice touches already from the Dutchman. As I type he’s just forced Moris into spilling a shot from the edge of the box. Nunez pounces for 1-0 but it’s offside. And, yes, this time it definitely is offside.
20:07Keifer MacDonald
First Liverpool chance
Salah goes close but the Egyptian is denied from close range by Moris after a great interception by Quansah.
20:06Theo Squires
Nunez on the right
Talking of positioning, Darwin Nunez has spent most of the opening five minutes out on the right with Mohamed Salah actually central
20:04Theo Squires
Business as usual for Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold very much in his hyb
