Union SG vs Liverpool predictions: Reds could slip up in Belgium

Aidan Perkins
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Jurgen Klopp's side are already safely through as group winners
Jurgen Klopp's side are already safely through as group winners

- Liverpool have already won Group E
- Union still have chance of finishing second
- Recommended bet: Union SG to win

Already-qualified Liverpool could be vulnerable when they travel to Union Saint-Gilloise, who have plenty to play for, in their final Europa League group game on Thursday.

The Reds have already been confirmed as Group E winners with four wins from their first five games so boss Jurgen Klopp is likely to ring the changes with more than an eye on Sunday's big Premier League home game with Manchester United.

Union SG are third in the group but could yet finish second and make the knockout round play-offs if they win and current second-placed Toulouse are beaten by bottom-of-the-table LASK.

 Although their fate will still depend on goal difference and how matchday six plays out.

Team news

Union SG have no reported injuries ahead of the game but midfielder Charles Vanhoutte is suspended for Liverpool's visit with Mathias Rasmussen tipped to come into the side.

Liverpool's injury list remains lengthy with Andy Robertson, Thiago, Joel Matip, Diogo Jota, Stefan Bajcetic and Alexis Mac Allister all currently on the sidelines.

Klopp will delve into his squad for this final group clash with plenty of changes expected. 

Caoimhin Kelleher is set to start in goal in place of Allison, while the likes of Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott and Ben Doak should get more first-team minutes.

Youngsters Conor Bradley, Luke Chambers ,Kaide Gordon and Calum Scanlon will all also hope to be involved.

The stats

Liverpool won the first game between the sides earlier in the group 2-0 at Anfield, which was the pair's first-ever competitive meeting.

Liverpool's only defeat in the group came in their last away fixture — a 3-2 loss at Toulouse on matchday four.

Union SG are competing in the Europa League for just the second time in their history after they impressed in a run to the quarter-finals last season before losing to German side Bayer Leverkusen.

The Belgian side's top-scorer is Mohamed Amoura, who took his tally for the season so far in all competitions to 14 with a brace in Sunday's 3-1 win over Charleroi.

Alexander Blessin will be after a famous win for Union over Liverpool
Alexander Blessin will be after a famous win for Union over Liverpool

Prediction

Liverpool are on a four-game winning streak in all competitions but could be distracted by Sunday's looming Anfield clash with United which is the bigger priority having already booked their place in the last-16 in Europe as group winners.

Klopp will likely rest several of his first-choice players so a second-string Reds side may struggle against Union, who are six points clear at the top domestically in Belgium and are unbeaten at home in the Europa League this season.

Union play their European home matches at Anderlecht's Lotto Park stadium, where they have drawn 1-1 with Toulouse and beaten LASK 2-1 in the group so far, and they could be set for another memorable success in Brussels.

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Tags

Union St.GilloiseLiverpoolEuropa League