Following the debacle in north London on Saturday, an emboldened Liverpool are back in Europa League action in midweek as they host Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise.
The Reds came ever so close to securing a well-earned point at Tottenham despite all the misgrievances they were subjected to, but a late Joel Matip own goal ensured Jurgen Klopp’s side walked away from an infamous encounter with nothing.
Nevertheless, Klopp will undoubtedy take great solace from his side’s heroic defensive performance after being reduced to nine players. The German boss will now want to oversee a stress-free European outing on Thursday night in Liverpool’s second Europa League group game.
The Reds were forced to come from behind to beat LASK on Matchday 1, while Thursday’s opponents were held at home by Toulouse.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Liverpool’s upcoming Europa League clash.
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise H2H Record
Current Form (all competitions)
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Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
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United Kingdom |
TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, discovery+, discovery+ App |
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United States |
Paramount+, fuboTV, TUDN USA, UniMás, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, TUDN App, ViX |
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Canada |
DAZN |
We should see Klopp deploy a similar starting XI on Thursday to the side that started at LASK. The German boss is still without Thiago, though, while Cody Gakpo is set for a spell out after picking up a knee injury on Saturday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold could earn a start as he aims to quickly return to full fitness, and there should be a place in the defence for young Jarell Quansah. Darwin Nunez is likely to start up top, while summer arrivals Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo are poised for midfield berths.
Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota are available despite their red cards at the weekend.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Union Saint-Gilloise (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Konate, Tsimikas; Endo, Gravenberch, Elliott; Doak, Nunez, Jota.
The visitors have very few injury concerns heading into Thursday’s game, with Dennis Eckert the only doubt.
Alexander Blessin, formerly of Genoa, has so far deployed a back three with the Belgian club, and he’s unlikely to change tack for their trip to Anfield.
Union Saint-Gilloise predicted lineup vs Liverpool (3-4-3): Moris; Mac Allister, Burgess, Leysen; Castro-Montes, Sadiki, Vanhoutte, Lapoussin; Amani, Nilsson, Puertas.
Union Saint-Gilloise head into Thursday’s game at the top of the Belgian Pro League, and they’ll be facing up against a rotated Liverpool side at Anfield. Even so, the Reds are heavy favourites and it’s hard to see them relinquishing any points on home soil.
The visitors are pretty porous defensively, and the hosts will undoubtedly be quick to take advantage. Union could have their moments going the other way as LASK did on Matchday 1, but this is likely to be a comfortable win for the Reds.
