5 Liverpool stars flop vs Union Saint-Gilloise as youthful XI falls to defeat
Liverpool's Europa League group campaign came to a underwhelming end as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels.
Having already qualified as group winners, Jurgen Klopp opted for a much-changed team, with a number of academy graduates afforded an opportunity. His plan backfired though as the hosts hit the front through Mohamed Amoura. He raced beyond the Liverpool backline and skipped past Caoimhin Kelleher, before smashing home into the empty net.
Jarell Quansah was on hand to fire the Reds level as the ball dropped to him from a corner and he crashed home his first goal for the club. Cameron Puertas put USG ahead again at the break by firing low past Kelleher. He thought repeated the feat just after the hour mark to extend the home side's advantage only for VAR to intervene and chalk off the strike.
Here's who still has work to do to impress Klopp after he named Liverpool's youngest-ever starting XI in Europe:
Caoimhín Kelleher
Dubbed as one of the best back-up goalkeepers in world football, Kelleher started strongly in Brussels by producing a number of key stops. When Liverpool needed him most though, he failed to rise to the occasion.
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For USG's opening goal, he was caught too high up the pitch. Having backpedalled, an attempted prod away from Amoura only served to present him with an open net. Kelleher was then too easily beaten by Puertas' low effort that he was slow to get down to.
While his status as back-up looks safe, performances like the one in Belgium are evidence as to why he is just that.
Caoimhin Kelleher during Liverpool's defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise (Getty Images)What went wrong for Liverpool vs USG? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Wataru Endo
The Japanese international has not quite had the best starts to life at Anfield since his move from Stuttgart. Signed to add more bite to the centre of midfield, he endured another tricky evening in the Belgian capital.
Endo gave the ball away away in the build up to the opening goal and was sloppy when it came to playing out. He was eventually replaced at half-time by fellow summer arrival Ryan Gravenberch.
Conor Bradley
Given Bradley was a 20-year-old defender making his first-ever start for Liverpool, it feels slightly harsh to judge him too severely. But from a professional point of view, he will have been wanting to make more of an impression.
The young right-back was a weak spot for the Reds in Brussels as USG enjoyed plenty of joy down the flanks. He was too easily bypassed on a number of occasions and regularly found himself out of position but to be fair, he wasn't the only one.
Conor Bradley struggled on his full Liverpool debut (Getty Images)Cody Gakpo
Bizarrely one of the more experienced stars to be named in the Liverpool starting XI, the Dutchman was selected to lead the line for the Reds. Given the chance, he will have seen it as an excellent opportunity to add to the six goals he has scored already.
Gakpo however barely got involved. The former PSV forward didn't really get a chance having been well marshalled by USG's solid backline throughout the evening.
Having failed to have a shot throughout the evening, he is left to reflect on a disappointing evening.
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Harvey Elliott
On the topic of more established first-team stars, former Fulham starlet Elliott will have been hoping to send another reminder to Klopp - particularly after his dramatic winner against Crystal Palace. Selected from the start, he really struggled to have an impact throughout the 90 minutes.
Stationed in midfield, he was not creative enough to help the Reds going forwards, while he struggled to help defensively as USG runners charged through unchallenged. To his credit, Elliott started to come alive in the closing stages with a few penetrating passes and clever decisions but it was too little, too late.
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