5 talking points from the Union SG vs. Liverpool match

Liverpool was defeated 2-1 by Union SG on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League. These are the game’s talking points.

KLOPP ROTATES BUT NOT ENTIRELY

As he’d suggested, Jurgen Klopp did start a number of young players for Liverpool against Union SG. Actually, in a European match, this was the youngest starting lineup of any Reds team.

Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, and Luke Chambers all got off to a good start. It’s the rotation that the public demanded. Almost, anyhow.

By starting Ibrahima Konaté, Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, and Cody Gakpo, Klopp also took a gamble. All are legitimate senior players, but with Joel Matip’s injury this month, Konaté will be especially important.

It reminded me of Diogo Jota’s notorious injury sustained in a dead rubber back in 2020. It may be argued that Klopp didn’t need to take that risk either way.

A DISJOINTED TEAM

It is impossible to have a team that is accustomed to playing together when you cycle like that, particularly when so many young players are involved. It was evident.

Liverpool executed poor passes, a poor offside trap, and a poor press. They produced nothing because nothing appeared correct, which repeatedly allowed Union to get by the press.

Even though, in the end, the game was meaningless, you can’t help but wonder how much the kids learn from a game like that.

KELLEHER QUESTION AGAIN 

Not the best of Caoimhin Kelleher. He could have done better to block Union’s opening because, although he managed to get his hands on it, he was not strong enough to take it away. The second, which zipped past him at his near post from a distance, felt like a mistake, for sure.

The goalie hasn’t appeared to be himself since rejoining the first squad this season. The distance between Kelleher and Alisson seems to be greater than it has ever been, which makes you worry about the future.

QUANSAH GETS HIS GOAL

More than everyone else, Jarell Quansah will remember this evening. It was his first goal at the senior level for Liverpool.

Naturally, Quansah was disappointed not to receive it in the season’s opening match against Toulouse. The defender discovered the net, but after a thorough inspection, VAR ruled it out.

However, given his efforts this season, the young player deserves this moment. It’s fantastic to see Quansah close off the Europa League campaign with a goal in the last group match; he has been the true success story.

THE ACTUAL SUCCESS

Liverpool did indeed want to win this match. It was evident that they were determined not to lose it when Kelleher went up for the stoppage-time corner.

The ability of Klopp to rotate his talents in order to keep them fresh for Sunday’s visit from Manchester United was the true accomplishment here. On that particular night, there were no visible injuries, and the key players just did not participate.

Thus, despite the loss, this is a success. The outcome of tonight’s game would not have any bearing on the season; an injury very well might have.