Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise score, result, highlights as Ryan Gravenberch excels in Europa League win

Kyle Bonn

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Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise score, result, highlights as Ryan Gravenberch excels in Europa League win image

A wounded Liverpool side, still recovering from their heartbreak over the weekend, began to pick up the pieces with a 2-0 Europa League victory over Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise at Anfield on Thursday.

The Reds completely dominated the first half, and while Darwin Nunez missed a sitter early and the Reds misfired on a number of other occasions, they eventually went in front just before the break thanks to Ryan Gravenberch.

The Dutchman deserved his first Liverpool goal, as he excelled for the Reds throughout the opening 45 minutes while his teammates failed to finish chances.

Liverpool lost their grip on the match in the second half, but survived a host of nervy moments, failing to finish off the match as Union SG goalkeeper Anthony Moris made a host of exceptional saves.

Eventually, Diogo Jota would seal the points with his stoppage-time strike to finish off a counter, giving Liverpool the maximum through two Europa League matches.

The Sporting News is following the Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise final score

  Score Goal scorers
Liverpool 2 Gravenberch (44'),
Jota (90+2')
Union SG 0 —

Kickoff: 8 p.m. local (3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT)
Location: Anfield Stadium (Liverpool, England)
Referee: Morten Krogh (DEN)

Starting lineups:

Liverpool (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Alisson (GK) — 66. Alexander-Arnold (J. Gomez, 63'), 78. Quansah, 5. Konate, 21. Tsimikas — 3. Endo (A. Mac Allister, 46'), 38. Gravenberch (Szoboszlai, 79'), 19. Elliott — 11. Salah (C. Jones, 46'), 20. Jota, 9. Nunez (L. Diaz, 46').

Union SG (3-5-2, right to left): 49. Moris (GK) — 28. Machida, 16. Burgess, 5. K. Mac Allister (Sykes, 86') — 21. Mastro-Montes, 8. Lazare (Rasmussen, 75'), 24. Vanhoutte (Saiki, 75'), 23. Puertas, 17. Terho (Lapoussin, 67') — 29. Nilsson (K. Rodriguez, 67'), 47. Amoura.

Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise live updates, highlights, commentary

FULLTIME: Liverpool 2-0 Union Saint-Gilloise

The Reds manage to secure all three points as Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota do the business. In all, Liverpool were by far the better side, but multiple failures in front of goal throughout the match, coupled with the brilliance of Anthony Moris in goal for Union SG, gave the visitors increased hope as the match wore on.

In the end, though, it's a victory and clean sheet for Jurgen Klopp, who will now sort out his team for the weekend visit to Brighton in Premier League play.

Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise: Second Half

90+4 min: Chance, Union Saint-Gilloise! Alexis Mac Allister produces an awful mistake in possession at the back, leaving a pass to the goalkeeper well short, but Alisson rescues his teammate and manages to steer the effort clear as Mohamed Aumora looked to pounce!

90+2 min: GOAL! LIVERPOOL! Diogo Jota has sealed it! Liverpool catch Union SG high up the field as they push for an equaliser, and Jota confirms the three points for the Reds at Anfield.

Union SG had a good spell of pressure that seemed promising after a misread from Joe Gomez, but the clearance unluckily pings off Noah Sadiki and into the path of Diogo Jota, who holds off a defender and finishes the chance.

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90th min: Jarell Quansah produces a quality tackle to concede a corner but keep the ball from being delivered from a dangerous area. The set-piece is cleared by Quansah who has had a very solid performance.

Five added minutes are shown. Alisson plays the ball out of touch under no pressure at all.

88th min: Union SG are pushing for an equaliser, but Alisson nervously collects a wide cross from Mathias Rasmussen before Kevin Rodriguez can reach it.

86th min: It's a final punt from Union SG manager Alexander Blessin who withdraws a defender (Kevin Mac Allister) and brings on a...well, another defender (Ross Sykes). The Mac Allister family reunion comes to a conclusion.

Sykes is a centre-back with an eye for goal, with the Burnley native having scored a pair over the weekend against Belgian side Charleroi.

82nd min: Oh my, Liverpool have been handed a lifeline by the official who waves away Union SG protests for a penalty. There's an outstretched arm from Jarell Quansah on the back of Kevin Rodriguez, and the Ecuadorian goes flying to the turf as a cross comes in.

It's a dicey one, but the official does not think there's enough in the push to have sent Rodriguez into a faceplant. We've seen those given!

80th min: Chance, Liverpool! How has Luis Diaz missed?!?! It's a brutal error from the Liverpool forward who did exceptionally well to pull down a long ball off his chest and get a shot off under pressure, but his eventual finish clangs the bottom of the far post and comes out.

The flag goes up very late on the follow-up, and it's unclear if that was on the initial delivery or later in the move, but either way, WOW that would have been a delicious goal had he finished it calmly! Too many mistakes in the final third from Liverpool today.

79th min: Ryan Gravenberch gets a standing ovation from the Anfield faithful who appreciate their new goal scorer. Dominic Szoboszlai comes on.

75th min: Liverpool come close again as Kostas Tsimikas rifles a shot from distance that doesn't fly too far above the crossbar.

Two more changes for Union SG who bring on Mathias Rasmussen and Noah Sadiki for Charles Vanhoutte and Jean Lazare. Dominic Szoboszlai is being readied on the Liverpool touchline, and he will replace Ryan Gravenberch who has faded of late, as has Liverpool's hold on this match.

72nd min: A Liverpool counter evaporates as they fail to find a wide-open Harvey Elliott in front of goal. Then Ryan Gravenberch commits a foul to end the move, and Jarell Quansah gets away with a shirt pull during a 50/50 challenge in which Liverpool concede a corner but nothing more. Alisson punches clear.

66th min: Union SG have a counter as Joe Gomez loses possession in midfield, but the cross from Mohamed Ahmora's cross is deflected out of play. The first is put out behind for another attempt, but the second is cleared with a glancing header.

A good reminder that this game is far from over, as Liverpool have failed to capitalise on a number of their chances. Union SG make a double change, with Gustaf Nilsson off, replaced by Ecuadorian international Kevin Rodriguez. Loic Lapoussin also enters in place of Casper Terho.

63rd min: After receiving some instruction from the Liverpool coaching staff, Joe Gomez enters the pitch for Liverpool, with Trent Alexander-Arnold making way. The England international's final contribution was an excellent track back to keep Union SG from delivering a corner.

During the stoppage, a replay shows evidence of a laser being pointed into the eyes of Union SG goalkeeper Anthony Moris before the latest corner was delivered. He's been huge this match, despite some attempts at subterfuge from the crowd!

61st min: Chance, Liverpool! Ryan Gravenberch is searching for his second, but Anthony Moris again crops up with a big save, tipping the long-range effort from the left out of play with a full-stretch stop. What a performance from the 33-year-old Luxembourg international in goal!

58th min: Liverpool have another string of corners, with Union SG again forced to defend in chunks. Curtis Jones sees a shot from distance take a huge and dangerous deflection, but the looping ball sails just wide of the goal frame.

The pressure is finally relieved as the whistle blows during the third corner delivery for a foul on Liverpool amidst the scrum.

52nd min: Chance, Liverpool! Back into the attack go Liverpool, and Alexis Mac Allister's delicious ball finds the head of Diogo Jota, who nearly picks out the underside of the crossbar, but Anthony Moris denies the chance with a sensational save! It's an acrobatic stop, leaping straight into the air vertically to tip it over the bar. What a chance!

The Reds have had so many opportunities on goal, but Moris has done extremely well to keep them to just a single goal. Oddly, that goal came on an error from the goalkeeper, who has had a spectacular evening with the one exception.

50th min: Chance, Union Saint-Gilloise! From a Union Saint-Gilloise corner, Allison whiffs on his punch in traffic, and only a clearance by Jarrel Quansah off the line keeps the visitors from finding an equaliser! A mistake from the Brazilian, but he gets away with it as his young defender comes up big.

48th min: Liverpool are straight back into the asendancy, forcing Union SG to do heavy defending early in this half. Finally a tackle on the touchline stops the attacking move by the hosts.

Kickoff: Liverpool make a trio of changes at the break, and one presents a heartwarming moment as Alexis Mac Allister enters for Wataru Endo in midfield, meaning he will see action against his brother. Their father Carlos Mac Allister is in attendance at Anfield to watch his sons play, and he'll get the enjoyment of seeing them take the field in European play against one another.

Also brought on are Luis Diaz and Curtis Jones, with Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez making way. The Reds were in complete control through the opening 45 minutes, so we'll see how these alterations change things for the hosts. Both of those changes are likely intended to give those withdrawn a rest, particularly Salah who plays heavy minutes for Liverpool on a regular basis.

Diaz takes a spot on one wing, while Harvey Elliott moves out wide to the other. No changes for Union Saint-Gilloise at the half.

HALFTIME: Liverpool 1-0 Union Saint-Gilloise

The Reds have a deserved lead at the break, with Ryan Gravenberch running the show in midfield. The Dutch midfielder has been exceptional, winning three take-ons and putting a pair of shots on target, the latter of which secured a late lead for the hosts. It's Gravenberch's first Liverpool goal, and his third goal contribution in three starts for the club after assisting strikes against LASK and Leicester City in various other Cup games.

Liverpool should, however, be up by more as Darwin Nunez missed an early sitter that could have been the game's first goal.

It's been comprehensive from the hosts, who have controlled the pace of play and survived one or two half-chances from their Dutch opponents. Overall, Liverpool are well in command, and it will require changes from the visitors to change the trajectory of this match.

Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise: First Half

45th min: Look out! Ibrahima Konate is required to clear a bouncing ball headed for the net. On the restart, Alisson has to come off his line to clear with the ball at the feet of Mohamed Amoura, but he doesn't get enough on it to keep the ball from seeking the goal mouth. He does, however, stop enough of the shot power that it gives Konate time to clear with space to spare.

44th min: GOAL! LIVERPOOL! Ryan Grabenberch has been the best player on the pitch through the first half, and he delivers the opener for the Reds! Liverpool break following a Union SG corner, and Trent Alexander-Arnold takes aim with a speculative shot from distance.

Anthony Moris makes the low, comfortable save but spills it, and he can't recover in time as Gravenberch pounces on the loose ball!

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36th min: Chance, Liverpool! Darwin Nunez forces a save of Anthony Moris from a tight angle! With a delivery from deep by Ibrahima Konate put right on a platter but bouncing awkwardly, he fires a volley to the near post which Moris has covered.

Kevin Mac Allister is racking up his foul count, the latest a chop of Nunez on the near touchline in the Liverpool half. He drew a final warning from the official earlier in the half, but has yet to be added to the official's book.

31st min: There's a stoppage in play as Union SG striker Mohamed Amoura receives treatment after a late foul by Kostas Tsimikas. The referee does not book the Liverpool defender, 

Apparently there's also a medical emergency in the stands, which Curtis Jones spotted while warming up on the touchline. Hope everyone is ok and treatment can be administered. Play is then restarted.

27th min: VAR has a look at a potential penalty as Kevin Mac Allister bundles Diogo Jota to the turf awkwardly. There's a real chance for this to be given, but instead VAR allows play to continue. The visitors survive one!

26th min: Chance, Union SG! They haven't had many opportunities, but with a corner, Union Saint-Gilloise get their first look on goal. It's headed over by Gustaf Nilsson! They won't have many more moments like that.

21st min: Mohamed Salah gets his head to a cross but puts it right at goalkeeper Anthony Moris who saves comfortably.

It's been all Liverpool so far, but they have yet to cash in.

17th min: Chance, Liverpool! Oh no Darwin Nunez has missed an absolute sitter! Mohamed Salah finds the Uruguayan on the doorstep with a lateral cross which spilled Anthony Moris to the turf, but somehow it's dragged wide! How?!?!?! The goal was gaping from about two yards out!

Jurgen Klopp makes a hysterical face of utter confusion on the touchline.

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14th min: Liverpool are buzzing looking to snag the opener. Harvey Elliott fires a shot that appears to be dragging just wide across the face of goal, but a Union SG defender blocks it clear regardless.

Moments later a Darwin Nunez cross is acrobatically parried away by Anthony Moris, who has been very busy so far at Anfield.

10th min: Chance, Liverpool! Darwin Nunez has the ball in the net but it won't count! Ryan Gravenberch blasts a thunderous rip from outside the penalty area, and Anthony Moris does well just to parry the effort, and Nunez follows it up with an easy finish into the empty net.

Replay shows Nunez was leaning a good bit offside on Gravenberch's shot, so the flag correctly rose to deny the goal.

9th min: A slip on the touchline by a Union SG defender sees Liverpool in thanks to a lovely flick by Ryan Gravenberch, but Kostas Tsimikas blasts a cross way over everyone and the chance fades. Gravenberch has been everywhere early, looking lively.

5th min: Chance, Liverpool! Mohamed Salah has the first shot on target of the match, but Anthony Moris does well to keep it out! The Egyptian was through on goal, with Jarell Quansah delivering the ball forward on a tackle in midfield, but Moris produced a stellar save to deny the hosts.

2nd min: Unsurprisingly, Union SG are looking to play on the counter, which seems them foray forward for the first time and earn a throw-in on the right, but with Liverpool defending well, the visitors actually look to cycle it backwards and reset possession.

Darwin Nunez thwarts that idea, with great pressure forcing the goalkeeper Anthony Moris to boot it long and concede possession.

Kickoff: This Europa League match is under way at Anfield! The Reds feature a lineup with a whopping eight changes from the Tottenham defeat over the weekend. Can they maintain their level against the Belgian leaders?

Union Saint-Gilloise are the 136th different opponent for Liverpool in their illustrious history.

Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more

15 mins to kickoff: In the other Group E match, Toulouse will host LASK, with both those teams needing to pick up points in a simultaneous kickoff.

If the Reds win today, they will sit atop the group regardless of the other result, but there's also a chance for those clubs to get back into it if the rotated Liverpool side slips at home. Toulouse hold a point after their opening day draw with Union Saint-Gilloise, while LASK were beaten by Liverpool to start their campaign and therefore have not picked up any points yet.

35 mins to kickoff: Trent Alexander-Arnold has been out with a hamstring injury recently, but after returning to play 16 minutes against Tottenham over the weekend, he gets the start today and captains the Reds.

55 mins to kickoff: For Union Saint-Gilloise, Kevin Mac Allister starts in defence in a three-CB system. Manager Alexander Blessin deploys a pair of full internationals up front in Swiss striker Gustaf Nilsson and 23-year-old Algerian frontman Mohamed Amoura.

In a big boost, captain Anthony Moris returns in goal despite being withdrawn from their weekend match due to injury.

1 hour 5 mins to kick: The Liverpool lineup is in a bit early, and Jurgen Klopp has turned to Alisson in goal for the Reds, with Caoimhin Kelleher out injured. However, he's rotated the squad heavily at other places.

Virgil van Dijk is on the bench, with Ibrahima Konate and 20-year-old Jarell Quansah in at centre-back. The boss has also swapped out the entire Liverpool midfield, with Ryan Gravenberch in the lineup. Alexis Mac Allister will be gutted not to start in this match against his brother, but he could still potentially come off the bench.

1 hour 15 mins to kick: While the two red cards against Tottenham were contentious decisions, as were other dismissals in recent weeks, there's still a conversation to be had about Liverpool's discipline this season on the whole. The Reds have seen four players sent off this year in Premier League play, two more than anyone else.

Additionally, Liverpool rank 11th in the league in fouls (79) and 14th in yellow cards (13). While those numbers aren't exactly alarming, they're a bit higher than one might expect from a potential title contender.

They will need to be careful today, as Danish referee Morten Krogh is not afraid to go to his pocket. He has shown five yellow cards in each of his last two domestic matches officiated, while producing another five in his last European assignment back in August, a 0-0 draw between Hajduk Split and PAOK in the Conference League.

1 hour 30 mins to kick: It will be interesting to see what Jurgen Klopp does at goalkeeper today. Caoimhin Kelleher started the Europa League opener against LASK, giving Alisson a rest, but Kelleher has picked up a blunt force knee injury that required stitches and won't be involved today or during the coming international break.

That means Klopp will either have to name Alisson to the squad and forego the chance to rest his No. 1 starter again, or hand a debut to 22-year-old Czech youth international Vitezslav Jaros who was the bench option behind Kelleher against LASK.

1 hour 45 mins to kick: Some Belgian fans have made their way to England for today's match! It looks to be a rainy, dreary day in Liverpool, but that won't stop these traveling supporters from backing their club.

2 hours to kickoff: A fun side story to today's match is the matchup between brothers Alexis and Kevin Mac Allister. The Argentine duo both joined their respective clubs this offseason, with Alexis sealing a transfer to Liverpool from Brighton while Kevin moved to Europe after a seven-year domestic career with Argentinos Juniors.

The Liverpool Echo did a fun interview with their father Carlos who served as Secretary of Sports for the Argentine government from 2016 to 2019 after a professional career of his own that saw him play 124 times for Boca Juniors and make three national-team appearances.

Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise lineups & team news

The only Liverpool players definitely missing for this match are Thiago Alcantara and Cody Gakpo, who are out injured. Thiago is working his way back from a hip injury but will need a few more weeks, while Gakpo suffered a knee injury in the process of scoring his goal against Tottenham over the weekend.

Midfielder Stefan Bajcetic is suffering from a "tiny little calf injury" according to Jurgen Klopp, and he's unlikely to take part as they play it safe with the youngster.

Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota are both suspended for Premier League action over the weekend, meaning they were likely to be involved here before being rotated out of necessity in the coming matches. However, while Jota starts, Curtis Jones is only on the bench, with Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch in midfield from the start.

Liverpool starting lineup (4-3-3): Alisson (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Konate, Tsimikas — Endo, Gravenberch, Elliott — Salah, Jota, Nunez.

Liverpool subs (12): Jaros (GK), Mrozek (GK), J. Gomez, van Dijk, Matip, Chambers, Robertson, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, C. Jones, Doak, L. Diaz.

Union Saint-Gilloise will be missing former Borussia Monchengladbach striker Dennis Eckert, who has a knock.

The status of goalkeeper and captain Anthony Moris was uncertain after he was withdrawn from Sunday's 3-1 league victory over Charleroi, but he returns to start today. Also forced off due to injury was right-back Guillaume Francois and he is sidelined for this game.

The brother of Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, Kevin Mac Allister, is at Union Saint-Gilloise and has played a big role this year at centre-back. He was rested for the weekend's victory but has been reintroduced for this game.

Union SG starting lineup (3-5-2): Moris (GK) — Machida, Burgess, K. Mac Allister — Mastro-Montes, Lazare, Vanhoutte, Puertas, Terho — Nilsson, Amoura.

Union SG subs (12): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)

How to watch Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise

MORE: Watch Premier League matches live with Fubo in USA

  TV channel Streaming
USA TUDN, Unimas Paramount+, Fubo, Univision NOW, TUDN app.
UK TNT Sports 1 TNT Sports Ultimate, discovery+
Australia  — Stan Sport
Canada  — DAZN
India Sony TEN 1 Sony LIV, JioTV
New Zealand  — beIN Sports Connect
Malaysia beIN Sports 3 beIN Sports Connect, sooka
Singapore beIN Sports 3 beIN Sports Connect, StarHub TV+
Hong Kong beIN Sports 3 beIN Sports Connect

USA: Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise from Anfield will be televised in the United States in English exclusively on the Paramount+ streaming service. The match can be found on television via a Spanish-language broadcast on TUDN and Unimas, which are both available on Fubo.

UK: Thursday's match between Liverpool and Unions Saint-Gilloise will be shown in the UK on TNT Sports 1, and streamed on their electronic platforms.

Canada: Champions League and Europa League matches can be seen in Canada on DAZN.

Australia: Australia's broadcaster for European continental competitions is Stan Sport.

Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise betting odds & lines

In Canada, bet UCL at Sports Interaction: See the latest odds for Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise here

  Liverpool
win		 Draw Union SG
win		 Both teams
to score Y / N		 Over / Under
3.5 goals		 LIV
-1.5		 USG
+1.5
BetMGM
(USA)		 -500 +600 +1150 -120 / -120 -110 / -130 -185 +125
BetOnSports
(UK)		 2/9 6/1 12/1 4/5, 10/11 93/100, 17/20 3/5 27/20
Unibet
(Australia)		 1.21 6.75 12.50 1.85 / 1.91 2.00 / 1.82 — —
Dafabet
(India)		 1.23 7.40 12.00 1.86 / 1.95 1.99 / 1.83 — —

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.