Liverpool 2-0 Union SG: Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota give Reds second consecutive win to top group

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side sit top of their Europa League group after their second win as many games in this year's European campaign. A 2-0 win at home to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise saw them maintain their 100% record. The first goal came through Ryan Gravenberch as he pounced on a goalkeeping error before Diogo Jota added another one in added time.

Ryan Gravenberch scored his first goal for Liverpool as the Reds laboured to a 2-0 victory over Royal Union Saint-Gilloise in the UEFA Europa League.

The Dutchman scored from close range in the 44th minute after the visitors' goalkeeper spilled a Trent Alexander-Arnold shot.

Darwin Nunez had missed a glorious chance earlier, failing to hit the target from eight yards with the goal gaping, while Hakan Nilsson wasted a free header inside the six-yard box from Union's most promising attack.

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Chances were harder to come by in the second half, with Luis Diaz hitting the post the closest Liverpool came to a second goal - but it would not have counted as he was offside - until Jota pounced on the break, with the visitors left exposed as they searched for an equaliser.

This was Liverpool's first game since Diaz had a goal incorrectly disallowed against Tottenham Hotspur, and all the fallout which has followed.

The win leaves Liverpool top of Group E with a perfect six points from two games.

'Seals it once and for all!' - Jota adds second to wrap up Liverpool win

Video credit: TNT Sports

Talking point - Liverpool in command of the group

Liverpool were far from their best but still way too strong for Union SG, who could manage only one shot on target. Elsewhere in the group, Toulouse beat LASK 1-0.

It means the Reds are two points clear at the top of Group E and five clear of the third-placed Belgians. LASK are pointless.

With such a big advantage it is hard to foresee Liverpool not making it out of the group. It also means Jurgen Klopp can feel more comfortable rotating his squad, which can be key given the Thursday-Sunday playing pattern of the Europa League is notoriously gruelling.

Player of the match - Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)

Gravenberch looked sharp, which stood out in a Liverpool performance which not always that. Anticipating an error and reacting first to score his goal exemplified this, while he also used the ball well.

Gravenberch scores first Liverpool goal after 'gift' from goalkeeper

Video credit: TNT Sports

Player ratings

Liverpool: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 7, Konate 7, Quansah 6, Tsimikas 6, Endo 5, Gravenberch 7, Elliott 5, Jota 6, Salah 5, Nunez 5. Subs: Mac Allister 6, Jones 5, Diaz 5, Gomez 5, Szoboszlai 5.

Union SG: Moris 5; Mac Allister 6, Burgess 6, Machida 5, Castro-Montes, 6 Amani 5, Vanhoutte 5, Puertas 5, Terho 5, Nilsson 5, Amoura 6. Subs: Rodriguez 6, Lapoussin 5, Rasmussen 5, Sadiki 6, Sykes 5.

Matchcast: Full match stats and commentary

Match highlights

BAD MISS! 17' - Elliott drives forward, slides in Salah on the right edge of the box and he squares for Nunez, who has a tap-in from eight yards, but the Uruguayan conspires to send the ball wide.

CHANCE! 26' - Puertas clips a free kick into the six-yard box and Nilsson has a free header at the back post, but cannot keep it down.

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 UNION SG (GRAVENBERCH) 44' - Union SG have a corner, but Liverpool break from it in a flash. Alexander-Arnold carries the ball forward on the left and gives it to Nunez, but gets the ball back when Union SG get bodies back to defend. It prompts Alexander-Arnold to have a go from range, Moris spills the shot and Gravenberch is there to tap in.

'When you give a player minutes, you get confident' - Gravenberch on settling into Liverpool

Video credit: TNT Sports

SAVE! 61' - Gravenberch has time to pick his spot from the top of the box and curls a shot towards the top corner, but Moris makes a good save.

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-0 UNION SG (JOTA) 90+2' - Liverpool break from a Union corner and it is sloppy, but Amani accidently puts Jota through on goal and he slots under the goalkeeper to secure the win.

Key stats

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