Liverpool vs Royale Union Saint-Gilloise

Anfield forms the backdrop for the first-ever Europa League showdown between Liverpool and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

Liverpool kicked off their first Europa League group stage campaign since 2015/16 with a come-from-behind 3-1 win at LASK Linz in the opening round. As odds-on favorites to top Group E, the ‘Reds’ come into proceedings confident of bouncing back from a stomach-wrenching 2-1 Premier League loss to Tottenham at the weekend. Joel Matip’s 95th-minute own goal condemned Liverpool to their first competitive loss of 2023/24 (W7, D1). However, the Merseyside heavyweights boast a formidable European record against Belgian opposition (W12, D2, L1), while their superb home form in Europe’s second-tier competition demands respect. Jurgen Klopp’s men have only lost once in their last 25 Europa League outings at Anfield (W18, D6). Additionally, they’ve won all four competitive home games this season, netting precisely three goals on each occasion.

Liverpool’s household stature in world football won’t faze visiting Royale Union much, even though the visitors participate in only their second-ever group stage of a major European competition. The Belgian outfit finished atop their Europa League group last season, but they could only manage a 1-1 home draw against Toulouse at the start of this year’s edition. Despite their relatively light experience in continental action, the visitors have excelled on the road, going unbeaten on their last six European travels (W4, D2). On top of that, Alexander Blessin’s side will take this trip in high spirits after stitching together three league wins on the trot since drawing against Toulouse. Since they averaged 2.66 goals per game during that three-match sequence, it stands to reason they are likely to trouble the scoreboard at Anfield.