Mo Salah scores 200th Liverpool goal
Liverpool might have already qualified in top spot for the Europa League knockout stages, but were unable to maintain the winning momentum against Union Saint-Gilloise as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat in Belgium.
Jurgen Klopp’s side did not need anything out of the game, but with an average age of the starting XI of just 22 and a half, the Reds were unable to impose themselves at the same level as USG.
Jarell Quansah wrote his name into the history books with his first club goal, that briefly levelled the tie inside the first half, but USG came back with a second almost immediately.
Despite bringing on the likes of Joe Gomez, Darwin Nunez and Ryan Gravenberch in the second half, Liverpool could not find a second equaliser, and instead it was VAR who overruled a third goal from USG.
USG finished the group in third place and will go into the Europa Conference League play-offs in February.
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FT: Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
Full-time: Well it was not the result the young Reds would have wanted. For many of them it was a first taste of starting in European football, but the Belgian side were just too polished and hit quickly on the break which proved too much for them.
Despite bringing on the experience in the likes of Gomez, Nunez, and Gravenberch, Liverpool could not find the equaliser, and instead were fortunate USG had a third goal ruled out.
Elliott almost had a chance in the final moments of stoppage time, but it was not to be and USG celebrate a victory.
Liverpool still finish top of the group, and a lot of youngsters will have gained a valuable experience.
Sonia Twigg14 December 2023 19:41
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
90+3’ Time is running out for the equaliser, there is a ball launched in the direction of Nunez but it does not fall to the striker.
Sonia Twigg14 December 2023 19:38
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
90+2’ Scanlon has just been shown a yellow card, there wasn’t much contact, but USG will have another chance to attack.
Sonia Twigg14 December 2023 19:36
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
90+1’ There will be five minutes of stoppage time
Sonia Twigg14 December 2023 19:35
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
88’ SAVE! Kelleher makes a full-stretch sprawling save to deny USG their third goal of the game.
The corner comes in and again the Liverpool goalkeeper is there to punch the ball away.
Sonia Twigg14 December 2023 19:33
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
87’ Another player down this time Liverpool’s O’Connell, who has only just come on will receive some treatment.
Sonia Twigg14 December 2023 19:32
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
86’ There’s another stoppage, and what looks like a second USG player down with cramp. You wouldn’t have thought this game has been fast-paced and energetic enough to cause that, at least in normal time, but there you go.
Quansah has just lunged two-footed into a challenge, fortunately for Liverpool he got the ball, but that was certainly reckless.
Sonia Twigg14 December 2023 19:31
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
84’ The game is back underway, and Liverpool are looking for an equaliser.
Sonia Twigg14 December 2023 19:29
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
83’ There’s just a brief passage in play while a USG player receives some treatment.
Sonia Twigg14 December 2023 19:28
Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool
81’ Liverpool are finally taking a foothold in this match, Elliott finds space on the right and he tries to cross for Nunez, it is just over his head, but finally the Reds are on top and looking like an attacking threat.
Sonia Twigg14 December 2023 19:26
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.
