Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Europa League Group E table toppers to play final group stage game at Lotto Park

The Belgian professional side of Union Saint-Gilloise will host their final group stage game against English Premier League outfit Liverpool FC. The Belgian club sits in third place in Group E of the UEFA Europa League, just 3 points below the French outfit Toulouse FC. Even if Toulouse loses its final game against Austrian Bundesliga outfit LASK and Union Saint-Gilloise wins its tie, Toulouse will head to the playoffs due to a better away goals record in head-to-head against Saint-Gilloise.

Liverpool FC on the other end enters the final fixture in its Group E journey comfortably. They are already confirmed as group winners and will head to the next rounds without this game result affecting the outcome. The Reds are coming on from a comeback win in a Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park Stadium. The win took them top of the PL table and Jürgen Klopp is likely to give rest to his main players in this one.

Kick-Off:

Thursday, 14 December 2023 at 5:45 PM UK (11:15 PM IST)

Location: Lotto Park

Form

Union Saint-Gilloise (in all competitions): W-W-W-D-D

Liverpool (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-D

Players to Watch

Cameron Puertas (Union Saint-Gilloise)

For the Belgian club, Cameron Puertas has been the performer in the final third. The 25-year-old Swiss attacking midfielder plays as a left winger in a 3-4-3 setup by German head coach Alexander Blessin. So far in 5 UEL games, Puertas has 2 assists and a goal.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

The Egyptian King has scored 3 Europa League goals in 5 appearances. Mohamed Salah is just 2 goals away from the current top scorer. And given the abilities of the winger, he might just get himself that 2 goals in the final group-stage game. His 11 goals and 7 assists in 16 Premier League appearances also speak volumes about his consistency.

Match Facts

• In the reverse fixture, Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield against Union Saint-Gilloise
• The Reds will finish first in Group E and go on to the next stages no matter the result of this fixture
• Similarly, the fixture result won’t be of any help to Union Saint-Gilloise as they are already out in head-to-head away goals record versus Toulouse

Injury & Team News

On matchday 5 against Toulouse FC, Union Saint-Gilloise’s central midfielder Charles Vanhoutte received his third yellow card of the season in the group stage game. This means Vanhoutte will be serving a one-match suspension against the Reds.

The German head coach of Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp will have to go about his business of team selection without a few players available. Thiago Alcántara and Stefan Bajcetic will need a few days more to be fit from their injuries. A cruciate ligament injury to centre-back Joel Matip a week ago means his season is over. Diogo Jota, Andrew Robertson and Alexis Mac Allister are also sidelined with injury concerns.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 1

Union Saint-Gilloise wins – 0

Liverpool wins – 1

Draws – 0

Predicted Lineup

Union Saint-Gilloise predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Moris (GK); K. Mac Allister, Burgess, Machida; Castro-Montes, Rasmussen, Sadiki, Lapoussin; Amoura, K. Rodriguez, Puertas

Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Kelleher (GK); Gomez, Konate, Quansah, Chambers; Gravenberch, Endo, Elliott; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Match Prediction for Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool

This will be the second-ever meeting between these sides. The first one was played at the Anfield stadium on matchday 2 when the Reds won 2-0. With Liverpool having already secured their next-round ticket, Jürgen Klopp is most likely to field slightly inexperienced players as well. Still given the fair share of quality that can come from the bench anytime, the win is expected to tilt towards Liverpool FC once again.

Prediction: Union Saint-Gilloise 1-2 Liverpool

Telecast for Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – TNT Sports

US –  CBS, TUDN

Nigeria – Supersport

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