Ryan Gravenberch benefited from an error by Union Saint-Gilloise goalkeeper Anthony Moris to score his first goal for the club as Liverpool laboured to a 2-0 Europa League victory to maintain their 100 per cent record in Group E.
For all the attacking firepower at their disposal – and it was considerable with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota boasting 248 goals between them – it was a 21-year-old former Ajax and Bayern Munich midfielder who had scored just nine in five years who popped up with the breakthrough at a crucial moment a minute before half-time.
That two of the front three were replaced at the interval was more down to a prepared plan rather than a reflection of their first-half contributions but if either had been anywhere close to their sharpest the game would have been out of sight before Gravenberch’s intervention.
Jota remained on for the whole game and scored the second with a breakaway in added time to ease any late nerves.
Follow live updates from Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League and get the latest match odds here.
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
FULL TIME! Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
90+2’ GOAL! Diogo Jota seals win in added time (LIV 2-0 USG)
42’ GOAL! Ryan Gravenberch punishes goalkeeper error (LIV 1-0 USG)
17’ WHAT A MISS! Darwin Nunez puts huge chance wide (LIV 0-0 USG)
FULL TIME! Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
22:19 , Jamie Braidwood
This time, at least, Jurgen Klopp has no need to ask for a replay. The significant human error came from Darwin Nunez, not a pair of video assistant referees, but the Uruguayan’s latest shocking miss did not prevent Liverpool from marking the return of Europa League football to Anfield with a victory that is unlikely to be remembered for as long as Sunday’s controversial defeat to Tottenham.
Match report by Richard Jolly at Anfield
No need for a replay as Liverpool return to normality in Europa League
FULL TIME! Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
22:46 , Jamie Braidwood
“Job done”, says Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise.
“Good. Really good start. Lost the rhythm slightly. Gave too many set-pieces away. Really good beginning, lost rhythm and played too much around the formation and in the formation. Should have had more direction and you take and what you get in these moment,. Professional but we could have been better.
“You cannot only win if you are really exciting. It is good for us as we can learn a lot from this game. With rhythm we look one way and without we look another. With exactly the same players. Plenty of things to learn and we will use that.”
FULL TIME! Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
22:01 , Jamie Braidwood
So Liverpool go top of Group E on six points. They face Toulouse next at Anfield – win that, and Jurgen Klopp’s side will have a five-point lead in the standings. It would put the Reds in a very strong position to top the group early.
FULL TIME! Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
21:57 , Jamie Braidwood
Job done for Liverpool and they move on to Sunday’s trip to Brighton in the Premier League.
FULL TIME! Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
21:55 , Jamie Braidwood
And that will do it.
After an unprecedented week, this was a routine win for Liverpool.
It’s job done and they make it two wins out of two in the Europa League thanks to goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota.
Fair to say, few will remember this one when the season is over, but after Sunday and the events that followed – it’s just what the Reds needed.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise (Diogo Jota 90+2’)
21:50 , Jamie Braidwood
Diogo Jota seals the win on the breakaway! It was turning into a nervy end for Liverpool as Union pushed for the equaliser. But then the Reds cleared and suddenly it was three on two at the other end – Diaz flicked the ball to Jota, who took a touch into the box and finished well.
Relief around Anfield.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:50 , Jamie Braidwood
89 mins: Union have not given up – the substitute Kevin Rodríguez works his way into the box but Quansah times his challenge well. Liverpool are then able to clear the corner.
Quansah would be my player of the match for Liverpool.
We’re into five minutes added on.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:45 , Jamie Braidwood
86 mins: Union are committing a few more numbers forward now and leaving more space in behind. Jones drives forward as he leads a Liverpool break, but then goes for goal and drags his effort wide.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:44 , Jamie Braidwood
83 mins: Jurgen Klopp is still looking pretty agitated on the touchline. A second goal would settle the Liverpool manager immensely but as it stands they are heading top of Group E with two wins from two.
Szoboszlai takes a whack but slices wide – no repeat of the Leicester strike this time.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:39 , Jamie Braidwood
79 mins: OFF THE POST! That could have been it! Diaz brings a long ball down, shurgs off a challenge, but hits the post and he looked for the far corner!
It wouldn’t have counted, though, as Diaz had gone early.
This time, he was offside.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:38 , Jamie Braidwood
78 mins: Szoboszlai is on and it’s the goalscorer who makes way: a good night for Ryan Gravenberch in his young Liverpool career.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:35 , Jamie Braidwood
75 mins: Union’s Alessio Castro-Montes takes an optimistic blast from distance and puts it into the stands. The Belgian leaders have lacked just a touch of quality so far tonight. Dominik Szoboszlai is about to come on – looks like Jurgen Klopp wants a final push of energy to get his side over the line here.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:32 , Jamie Braidwood
71 mins: That Union chance has unsettled Liverpool slightly and the past five minute spell has been a scrappy one from both teams. Jarell Quansah has been asked to do some real defending tonight and has stood up the task well – another assured display so far from the 20-year-old centre-back.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:25 , Jamie Braidwood
65 mins: Liverpool have been completely on top since half time but Union offer a little reminder of their threat as Mohamed Amoura flies forward. His cross is deflected behind by Konate. but that could have looped in. Liverpool’s lead remains a slender one.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:22 , Jamie Braidwood
61 mins: SAVE! If the first was a gift, Gravenberch goes close to a spectacular second for Liverpool! The midfielder aims for the top corner with a curling shot from the left edge of the area, but Moris produces an excellent stop as he leaps back to keep it out.
Alexander-Arnold is indeed replaced. His final intervention was to deny a Union counter-attack. That was a good outing for the right back.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:19 , Jamie Braidwood
60 mins: Joe Gomez is getting ready on the Liverpool bench – which is perhaps a sign that the plan was to only give Trent Alexander-Arnold an hour tonight.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:17 , Jamie Braidwood
57 mins: Liverpool are doing well to keep the pressure up. The ball is fed wide to Curtis Jones and his deflected shot loops up and down, landing on the roof of the net. Union are able to clear following a succession of corners after Konate gives a foul away.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:11 , Jamie Braidwood
51 mins: SAVE! Good stop this from Moris, who denies Jota’s header with a flying leap. Mac Allister picked out a quality cross to find Jota, whose header was too central and left Moris with a chance.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:09 , Jamie Braidwood
48 mins: CLOSE! Alisson gets away with this! The Liverpool goalkeeper spills a corner from the left but gets away with it as Quansah is on hand to hack away. Alisson is much more like himself as he comes out to claim the next corner.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
21:07 , Jamie Braidwood
46 mins: We are now back underway at Anfield. Can Liverpool increase their lead? Nunez and Salah will be disappointed not to have scored tonight after taking their place on the bench.
HALF TIME! Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
21:04 , Jamie Braidwood
There are going to be three changes from Liverpool at the break!
Alexis Mac Allister comes on, and will now face off against his brother, along with Curtis Jones and Luis Diaz.
Salah, Endo and Nunez are off.
Liverpool play Brighton at 2pm on Sunday on the south coast.
HALF TIME! Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
21:03 , Jamie Braidwood
Ryan Gravenberch has stood out in Liverpool’s midfield tonight and marks his sixth appearance for the club with his first goal. The Dutchman is now pushing for a first Premier League start and has shown plenty of promise so far. He’s also still just 21!
HALF TIME! Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
20:49 , Jamie Braidwood
And there’s the break! Liverpool lead at Anfield thanks to a gift from the Union goalkeeper and Gravenberch’s first goal for the club.
Cheeky little check from the 21-year-old here, just to make sure he was onside.
Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
20:48 , Jamie Braidwood
44 mins: Union had a chance straight down the other end as Mohamed Amoura was played through. The speedy forward dinked the ball over Alisson, but Konate recovers well and clears up.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise (Ryan Gravenberch 42’)
20:45 , Jamie Braidwood
NOT ANYMORE! Liverpool lead and it’s Ryan Gravenberch with his first for the club!
The Dutchman has looked sharp tonight and is on hand to punish the Union goalkeeper Moris as he spills Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shot back into open play.
Gravenberch says thank you very much and taps in to break the deadlock.
Liverpool 0-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
20:44 , Jamie Braidwood
41 mins: Liverpool have not had a goalless first half since last April against Nottingham Forest. Jurgen Klopp’s side have been full of goals this season but they’re proving hard to find tonight.
Liverpool 0-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
20:38 , Jamie Braidwood
35 mins: It feels like Union have managed to ride out the first wave of Liverpool pressure and have settled well at Anfield. The Reds have been well on top in terms of possession, but it’s a much more even contest now.
Liverpool 0-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
20:31 , Jamie Braidwood
29 mins: Just after that Nilsson miss, Diogo Jota tumbled to the turf at the other end. The forward went down over an outstretched leg in the box but the Liverpool appeals are waved away.
Liverpool 0-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
20:28 , Jamie Braidwood
26 mins: CHANCE! After all those Liverpool chances, Union should be ahead! The Belgian side had a free kick in a wide area, and picked out the big striker Gustaf Nilsson at the back post. He should score, but gets his header all wrong. Thankfully for Liverpool, it lands safely over the crossbar.
Liverpool 0-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
20:23 , Jamie Braidwood
22 mins: Alexander-Arnold is left with time and space deep in midfield and picks out a stunning pass to Salah, but the Union goalkeeper gets out just in time to reach it.
Liverpool 0-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
20:19 , Jamie Braidwood
16 mins: WHAT A MISS! Liverpool slice Union open and Salah does the unselfish thing by squaring to Darwin Nunez. It’s an open goal, but the striker somehow puts it wide from in front of the posts!
Liverpool 0-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
20:15 , Jamie Braidwood
13 mins: Liverpool have got into a habit of conceding first in games lately. They did so in Austria against LASK but have started well tonight. Jurgen Klopp will be keen to get up and running, which is likely why he has named such a strong side.
Union give it away cheaply but Elliott’s shot is cleared, looked to have been going wide anyway.
NO GOAL! Liverpool 0-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
20:10 , Jamie Braidwood
9 mins: Liverpool have the ball in the net but the flag is up…
This time, the officials have definitely got it right.
It’s good from Ryan Gravenberch, though, who shifts the ball out of his feet and strikes at goal. Moris gets a hand to it but spills, leaving Nunez with the tap in. The Uruguayan was offside, though.
VAR not needed just yet.
Liverpool 0-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
20:07 , Jamie Braidwood
5 mins: CHANCE! LIverpool should be ahead! Quansah wins a ball in defence and it suddenly breaks to Salah, who is through on goal! You expect the net to ripple but instead Union goalkeeper Anthony Moris makes a big save to his left.
Liverpool 0-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
20:03 , Jamie Braidwood
2 mins: Ibrahima Konate is the experienced centre-back in the Liverpool defence tonight, as he starts alongside Jarell Quansah. The Frenchman races across to cut out a Union counter-attack. The Belgian side look quick up front.
Liverpool 0-0 Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
20:01 , Jamie Braidwood
KICK-OFF! Underway at Anfield. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the local captain of the Reds tonight. Union kick off and will attack the Kop first on what is the first meeting between the sides.
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
19:55 , Jamie Braidwood
Jurgen Klopp, speaking to TNT Sport on this week’s VAR controversy: “I’m over it.”
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
19:51 , Jamie Braidwood
Mohamed Salah is already Liverpool’s all-time record goalscorer in European competitions, but most of those goals have come in the Champions League. Salah starts at home against Union Saint-Gilloise and will hope to add to that impressive record. The Egyptian scored late on to seal Liverpool’s 3-1 win at LASK in their Europa League opener.
Kick-off is next!
Europa League result: Marseille 2-2 Brighton
19:49 , Jamie Braidwood
It’s full time in the early kick-offs, and that’s a brilliant point for Brighton in Marseille. The Premier League were two goals down inside 20 minutes but battle back to earn their first European point. It’s keeps their chances of getting through to the knock-outs stages very much alive ahead of a double-header with Ajax.
West Ham got a great result away from home with a 2-1 win at Freiburg, but there was a huge shock as managerless Rangers lost 2-1 at Aris Limassol.
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
19:41 , Jamie Braidwood
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the October internationals against Australia and Italy.
Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen returned to the England set-up but there was no place for Raheem Sterling once again.
Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen make England return but Raheem Sterling left out
Europa League latest: Marseille 2-2 Brighton
19:32 , Jamie Braidwood
GOAL! Brighton are level in Marseille! The visitors deserve this – and Joao Pedro keeps his cool from the penalty spot to silence the Veledrome. The Seagulls have fought from two goals down.
There are seven minutes of added time to be played.
Meanwhile, Nayef Aguerd has restored West Ham’s lead in Freiburg!
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
19:29 , Jamie Braidwood
Reunited! It’s the battle of the Mac Allister tonight, as Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister goes up against his brother Kevin Mac Allister.
The brothers couldn’t believe it when Liverpool were drawn against Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League, but their paths will cross at Anfield tonight.
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
19:11 , Jamie Braidwood
Wataru Endo was disappointed but proud of the way nine-man Liverpool fought in the face of “difficult decisions” during the last-gasp defeat at Tottenham on Saturday.
Summer signing Endo, who came on with Liverpool reduced to nine men, said: “At the end, a very tough game but there were 50-50 decisions in the game and yeah, it’s very difficult to play with nine players.
“But I wanted to get one point so I am very disappointed about it. I am just so proud of this team. I am just disappointed.
“We have to learn from this result and of course we showed our spirit, even though we faced difficult decisions we fought until the end.
“That’s Liverpool and always we have to try to win the game. We can learn from this game but we just keep going.”
The Japan international starts tonight.
Europa League latest: Marseille 2-1 Brighton
19:00 , Jamie Braidwood
GOAL! Brighton have one back in Marseille and it’s Pascal Gross with another big goal for the Seagulls. It’s been a good response from De Zerbi’s side.
Meanwhile Freiburg have equalised against West Ham in Germany…
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
18:51 , Jamie Braidwood
Jurgen Klopp knew what he was saying. Faced with an unprecedented situation, the Liverpool manager suggested an unprecedented solution; after Luis Diaz’s opening goal in Saturday’s defeat to Tottenham was incorrectly ruled out for offside, Klopp called for the match to be played again. “I think the only outcome should be a replay,” Klopp said. “That’s how it is. Probably will not happen.”
And nor should it.
Jurgen Klopp should know better — calling for replays sets a dangerous precedent
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
18:47 , Jamie Braidwood
Liverpool go strong with Mohamed Salah named in the starting line-up! Trent Alexander-Arnold also returns from injury.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo, Elliott, Gravenberch; Salah, Nunez, Jota.
Europa League latest: Marseille 2-0 Brighton
18:35 , Jamie Braidwood
HALF TIME: That was better from Brighton – but Roberto De Zerbi’s side are unable to pull one back before the break despite a flurry of chances. Marseille goalkeeper Pau Lopez denied Ansu Fati and then Danny Welbeck, before Solly March shot wide.
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
18:28 , Jamie Braidwood
Gary Neville urged Jurgen Klopp to move on after the Liverpool manager called for his side’s defeat at Tottenham to be replayed.
The Reds saw Luis Diaz’s opening goal wrongly disallowed for offside, with the referees’ body PGMOL now releasing the audio of the major VAR error following a request from Liverpool.
But Klopp says the audio conversation, with VAR lead Darren England and assistant Dan Cook failing to realise the on-field decision was onside, has not changed his thinking and believes the match should be played again.
Liverpool also had two players sent off in the defeat, midfielder Curtis Jones and forward Diogo Jota, before conceding a 96th-minute winner in the 2-1 defeat. The result was Liverpool’s first defeat of the season.
Gary Neville responds after Jurgen Klopp calls for Liverpool replay: ‘That’s madness’
Europa League latest: Freiburg 0-1 West Ham
18:23 , Jamie Braidwood
Meanwhile in Germany, Lucas Paquetá has given West Ham the lead against Freiburg.
The Brazilian made a terrific leap to get to Jarrod Bowen’s cross from the right. Great header.
Europa League latest: Marseille 2-0 Brighton
18:19 , Jamie Braidwood
Extraordinary scenes at the Stade Veledrome, where Brighton are facing Marseille. The hosts took the lead through Chancel Mbemba and then doubled less than two minutes as Lewis Dunk slipped and Jordan Veretout punished the visitors. Brighton thought they had a penalty, but it was ruled out by VAR. A long way back for the Seagulls in this one.
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
18:09 , Jamie Braidwood
It’s been quite the week at Liverpool… Jurgen Klopp called for an unprecedented replay of their Premier League fixture against Tottenham following the major VAR error during the match on Saturday.
The decision was so widely derided and controversial that on Monday the club made a formal request for the recording between officials from the defeat to Tottenham.
On Tuesday, the refereeing body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) released a second statement along with the audio between match officials, sending it to Liverpool along with an improved communication protocol and double-checking outcomes between VAR and the assistant.
But Klopp does not feel that that makes up for Luis Diaz’ first goal on Saturday being ruled out and changing the course of the fixture – which Liverpool eventually lost 2-1.
Jurgen Klopp calls for Liverpool’s match at Tottenham to be replayed over VAR blunder
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
18:05 , Jamie Braidwood
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Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
18:04 , Jamie Braidwood
What is the Liverpool team news?
Despite their red cards against Tottenham, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota are available to play in the Europa League. Cody Gakpo came off at half time against Tottenham with what appeared to be a leg injury is out. Trent Alexander-Arnold is fit again and could start but with Liverpool facing a tricky trip to Brighton on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp could also rotate his side and keep his squad fresh.
Predicted Liverpool line-up
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Konate, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Jones, Gravenberch; Jota, Nunez, Doak
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
18:02 , Jamie Braidwood
When is Liverpool vs Royale Union Saint-Gilloise?
The match kicks off at 8pm BST on Thursday 5 October at Anfield.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7:45pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the action via discovery+.
Here’s everything you need to know
Is Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise on TV? How to watch Europa League
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Latest Europa League updates
18:01 , Jamie Braidwood
Liverpool face Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League tonight as the Reds return to action after a controversial week of VAR fallout.
The Reds saw their winning run come to an end in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, but Jurgen Klopp’s side were furious after the VAR failed to overturn Luis Diaz’s wrongly disallowed opener and finished the match with nine men after Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were sent off.
And after a contentious week that has seen Klopp call for the Tottenham match to be replayed following the VAR error, Liverpool will look to make it two wins from two in Europa League Group E following their opening victory at Austrian side LASK.
Liverpool have never played Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in a competitive match. The Belgian side, who reached the Europa League quarter-finals last season, drew 1-1 in their opening match against Toulouse.
Follow live updates from Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise in tonight’s live blog
