Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise LIVE: Europa League result and final score as Diogo Jota goal seals win
Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise: Jurgen Klopp’s side made it two wins from two in Group E thanks to Jota and Ryan Gravenberch goals at Anfield
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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.
FULL TIME! Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
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
Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise: After an extraordinary week, perhaps what Jurgen Klopp needed most was a routine night like this
FULL TIME! Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
“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
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
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
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’)
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
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
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
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
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.
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