Liverpool’s Europa League match against Union SG was supposed to be straightforward, and they got it thanks to a 2-0 victory.
Liverpool 2-0 Union SG
Goals
Alexander-Arnold (assist) Gravenberch 44′
Jota 90+2′ (help from Diaz)
In the Europa League, Jurgen Klopp took a chance, but not in the way that many had anticipated prior to kickoff. Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez both started as the attack.
The talented Liverpool team got off to a promising start against the league leaders in Belgium, with a Jarell Quansah interception setting up a one-on-one that Mohamed Salah saw saved.
Nunez scored on a thunderous effort from the outstanding Ryan Gravenberch, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Minutes later, Nunez missed a golden opportunity after skewing dreadfully wide.
Harvey Elliott was exceptional in the lead-up to the Nunez chance and was terrific once more as he dug out a header for Salah that was directed directly at the goalie.
Just before halftime, Trent Alexander-Arnold started a move that resulted in a one-two with Nunez, and the captain’s effort was spilled to Gravenberch for his first goal for Liverpool.
HT: Union SG 1-0 Liverpool
Wataru Endo, Salah, and Nunez were all substituted for to start the second half, and Alexis MacAllister, Curtis Jones, and Luis Diaz were brought in their place.
In an effort to make a good impression on his father, who was watching from the stands, and his brother, who was playing for the opposition, Mac Allister clipped the ball, which Diogo Jota headed towards goal only to have deflected over.
Just after the hour mark, another pre-planned substitution occurred as Alexander-Arnold made off, with Joe Gomez nearly setting up Luis Diaz right away.
Anfield gave Gravenberch a standing ovation as he was replaced by Dominik Szoboszlai after Diaz’s brilliant shot hit the post and it was suggested he may have been offside anyhow.
And Jota sealed a comfortable victory with a beautiful finish late on for 2-0 ahead of an afternoon at home, suspended against Brighton.
TIA Ryan Gravenberch was named the game’s MVP.
Morten Krogh, (DEN) referee
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Quansah, and Tsimikas for Liverpool; Endo (Mac Allister 46), Elliott, and Gravenberch (Szoboszlai 79); Salah (Diaz 46), Jota, and Nunez (Jones 46); and Salah (Gomez 63).
Jaros, Mrozek, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson, Chambers, and Doak were not substitutes.
Moris, Mac Allister, Burgess, Machida, Castro-Montes, Amani (Rasmussen, 75), Vanhoutte, Puertas, Terho (Lapoussin, 67), Nilsson, Amoura, (Sykes, 86), and (Sadiki, 75).
Not used substitutions include Imbrechts, Wenssens, Eckert, Teklab, Huygevelde, and Leysen.
The following game will be played at Brighton (A) on Sunday, October 10, at 2 PM (BST).
