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Liverpool will play their first home European match of the season on Thursday night when they take on Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League. The Reds came from behind to win their first group match against Lask two weeks ago which has put them in a good position coming into this one. Union Saint-Gilloise, meanwhile, drew their first group match against Toulouse. The match will be played at Anfield and will kick off at 20:00 UK time.
Liverpool vs Union Saint-Gilloise Europa League team news
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After their dramatic and controversial loss to Tottenham at the weekend, Liverpool come into this one like a wounded animal. As a result, Jurgen Klopp may well be tempted to play more of his first-team players than originally planned while they have that fire burning inside them.
On the other hand, Klopp is more likely to stick to the plan and rotate his squad like he did for their opening game with LASK. Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to come into the starting lineup for Alisson while Kostas Tsimikas is nailed to start at left-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold could be in line for a start in defence, too, with the right-back now back in training.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott will likely start meaning that the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai will sit this one out. At the top end of the pitch, Darwin Nunez will lead the line and will need to impress considering Cody Gakpo is expected to be out for a few weeks after being forced off against Spurs.
Liverpool predicted lineup
Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Elliott, Endo, Gravenberch, Doak, Nunez, Jota
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Union Saint-Gilloise – Our top three
Darwin Nunez – An enigma
Darwin Nunez didn’t exactly set the world alight in his debut campaign for Liverpool but has shown more glimpses so far this season of what he is about. The Uruguayan forward looks the real deal one moment, and then useless the next which is a great source of frustration for Jurgen Klopp.
It’s no surprise that Klopp has turned to the more technically assured Cody Gakpo to lead his line this season but Nunez has still managed to supply some key contributions – none bigger than his double off the bench against Newcastle last month. He is also netted from the spot in Liverpool’s opening Europa League match and he will be looking to this competition to gain some much-need confidence.
The ex-Benfica man has netted six goals in his last eight Europa League matches so it is clearly a competition that he likes. He will be looking forward to this one under the Anfield lights.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Returning from injury
Trent Alexander-Arnold is in line for a return to the team after being sidelined for a month with a hamstring injury. The talented fullback is back in training now and could return to the starting lineup on Thursday night ahead of what will be a crucial Premier League match with Brighton on Sunday afternoon.
Ryan Gravenberch – A chance to impress
Ryan Gravenberch was one of the best players on the pitch when Liverpool beat LASK two weeks go in the Europa League. The assist for Luis Diaz showed what the Dutchman is all about as he drove through midfield before delivering a wicked ball into the box for his teammate. Gravenberch is yet to wrestle his way into Klopp’s starting eleven but a similar performance here could force the German’s hand.
Will Mo Salah play against Union Saint-Gilloise?
Mo Salah is expected to start on the bench against Union Saint-Gilloise just as he did in Liverpool’s last Europa League match. Klopp wants to keep his star man fresh, particularly with a huge league game on the horizon, but the Anfield crowd may well get a cameo from the Egyptian.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Union Saint-Gilloise – The final word
In terms of points and game importance, this isn’t a particularly big one for Liverpool. They are already on three points and will almost certainly qualify from what is a weak group regardless of what happens on Thursday night. Instead, it will be a night for some of the fringe players in the squad to stake their claim.
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