Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise: Gravenberch nets first Reds goal to edge past USG

Both sides came into this UEFA Europa League clash at Anfield on the back of contrasting fortunes in their respective leagues last time out. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool suffered late heartbreak at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League, while Alexander Blessin’s visitors cruised past Charleroi in the Jupiler Pro League.

LIV: Alisson; Tsimikas, Quansah, Konate; Alexander-Arnold; Elliott, Endo, Gravenberch; Jota, Salah, Nunez

USG: Moris; Terho, Machida, Burgess, K. Mac Allister, Castro-Montes; Puertas, Vanhoutte, Amani; Nilsson, Amoura

A chilly European night at Anfield saw both sides settle into the game quickly and looking to attack from the off. Liverpool could have very easily taken the lead early on through Mo Salah, as he was through one-on-one but the Egyptian was thwarted by Anthony Moris who came out of his goal brilliantly to prevent the potential danger.

Jurgen Klopp’s men went even closer just inside the 10th minute, as Ryan Gravenberch’s long-range effort struck the palms of Moris. The ball then fell to Darwin Nunez who tapped home past the Luxembourg international, but the linesman’s flag was already up.

If it hadn’t been evident up to this point in the game, the Reds were dominating possession and chances created. They could have easily been 1-0 up in the 17th minute, had it not been for Darwin Nunez’s staggering miss from just a few yards out. Salah also found his second chance of the game collected comfortably by Moris, following Harvey Elliott’s ball in from the left hand side being headed towards goal by the Egyptian.

For the domination and chances that Liverpool had seen and created, it was Union Saint-Gilloise’s turn to test Alisson in the Liverpool goal, with Gustaf Nilsson’s header just skimming the bar as the first half reached the 26th minute.

Darwin Nunez then latched onto a long ball from Ibrahima Konate and fired towards the far corner, only for Anthony Moris to save well at the near post instead.

It was only a matter of time before Liverpool did score, and they did just that on the brink of half-time. The home side broke from a Union corner through Trent Alexander-Arnold, who found Nunez down the left hand side. The Uruguayan then returned the ball to the England international, whose shot was palmed away by Moris, but only as far as Ryan Gravenberch, who tapped home the rebound – Gravenberch’s first goal for his new club, following his Deadline Day move from Bayern Munich.

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The second half began with both sides looking to catch each other on the counter attack, with no early chances coming to fruition. However, in the 52nd minute, Liverpool almost doubled their advantage through Diogo Jota, but his header was saved wonderfully by Anthony Moris in the Union goal. 

The next clear-cut chance didn’t arrive until the 61st minute when Ryan Gravenberch almost had his – and Liverpool’s – second goal of the evening, only for his wonderful, curling effort to be saved once again by Anthony Moris; atoning for his mistake which led to Liverpool’s first goal.

Half-time substitute Luis Diaz also had a great chance to extend the home side’s advantage, but the Colombian missed his cue following Joe Gomez’s cross and thus the ball travelled wide. Diaz was in again just before the last ten minutes, but his drilled, low effort smacked the inside of the post and came straight back out, with Harvey Elliott unable to curl home the rebound.

Substitute Dominik Szoboszlai was also interested in extending the home side’s advantage, as he struck a long-range effort that was akin to the Hungarian’s goal against Leicester in the Carabao Cup. Unfortunately, for him, it flew well over the bar this time round. Curtis Jones also fired a low shot agonisingly wide of the far post, leaving Anthony Moris with nothing to worry about.

As the game entered five minutes of added time at the end of the second half, Liverpool sealed all three points to keep up their 100% start. The Reds got away on the counter attack, and with Union failing to clear their lines, Diogo Jota burst into the box and smashed the ball past Moris to dispel of any late nerves around Anfield.

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Liverpool’s next task is a tricky trip to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday, 2pm kick-off. However, for Union Saint-Gilloise, they head back to Belgium and take a trip to St. Truiden in the Jupiler Pro League, 6pm UK time kick-off.