Liverpool 2-0 Union SG: Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota give Reds second consecutive win to top group

Ryan Gravenberch scored his first goal for Liverpool as the Reds laboured to a 2-0 victory over Royal Union Saint-Gilloise in the UEFA Europa League.

The Dutchman scored from close range in the 44th minute after the visitors’ goalkeeper spilled a Trent Alexander-Arnold shot.

Darwin Nunez had missed a glorious chance earlier, failing to hit the target from eight yards with the goal gaping, while Hakan Nilsson wasted a free header inside the six-yard box from Union’s most promising attack.

Chances were harder to come by in the second half, with Luis Diaz hitting the post the closest Liverpool came to a second goal – but it would not have counted as he was offside – until Jota pounced on the break, with the visitors left exposed as they searched for an equaliser.

The win leaves Liverpool top of Group E with a perfect six points from two games.

Liverpool were far from their best but still way too strong for Union SG, who could manage only one shot on target. Elsewhere in the group, Toulouse beat LASK 1-0.

It means the Reds are two points clear at the top of Group E and five clear of the third-placed Belgians. LASK are pointless.

With such a big advantage it is hard to foresee Liverpool not making it out of the group. It also means Jurgen Klopp can feel more comfortable rotating his squad, which can be key given the Thursday-Sunday playing pattern of the Europa League is notoriously gruelling.

Gravenberch looked sharp, which stood out in a Liverpool performance which not always that. Anticipating an error and reacting first to score his goal exemplified this, while he also used the ball well.

Liverpool: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 7, Konate 7, Quansah 6, Tsimikas 6, Endo 5, Gravenberch 7, Elliott 5, Jota 6, Salah 5, Nunez 5. Subs: Mac Allister 6, Jones 5, Diaz 5, Gomez 5, Szoboszlai 5.

Union SG: Moris 5; Mac Allister 6, Burgess 6, Machida 5, Castro-Montes, 6 Amani 5, Vanhoutte 5, Puertas 5, Terho 5, Nilsson 5, Amoura 6. Subs: Rodriguez 6, Lapoussin 5, Rasmussen 5, Sadiki 6, Sykes 5.

BAD MISS! 17′ – Elliott drives forward, slides in Salah on the right edge of the box and he squares for Nunez, who has a tap-in from eight yards, but the Uruguayan conspires to send the ball wide.

CHANCE! 26′ – Puertas clips a free kick into the six-yard box and Nilsson has a free header at the back post, but cannot keep it down.

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 UNION SG (GRAVENBERCH) 44′ – Union SG have a corner, but Liverpool break from it in a flash. Alexander-Arnold carries the ball forward on the left and gives it to Nunez, but gets the ball back when Union SG get bodies back to defend. It prompts Alexander-Arnold to have a go from range, Moris spills the shot and Gravenberch is there to tap in.

SAVE! 61′ – Gravenberch has time to pick his spot from the top of the box and curls a shot towards the top corner, but Moris makes a good save.

GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-0 UNION SG (JOTA) 90+2′ – Liverpool break from a Union corner and it is sloppy, but Amani accidently puts Jota through on goal and he slots under the goalkeeper to secure the win.

• Liverpool have won all eight of their matches against Belgian opposition at Anfield.
• Gravenberch’s goal was his first for Liverpool and first in senior European football.
• Gravenberch has scored or assisted in each of his first three Liverpool starts.