Liverpool Faces Union SG in Europa League with Key Players Likely Unavailable for Jürgen Klopp

As Liverpool prepares to take on Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League, Jürgen Klopp may have to contend with the absence of three crucial players. The Reds aim to consolidate their position in the group standings with a victory.

In their match against Union SG at Anfield on Thursday, Liverpool is expected to make significant changes to their starting lineup. Caoimhín Kelleher is likely to assume the role of Europa League goalkeeper, while Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endō, and Kostas Tsimikas may also see opportunities from the outset. The Reds are favored to comfortably handle Union SG, much like their performance against LASK, despite conceding an early goal in their first match.

Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota are facing suspensions that will rule them out of Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League clash against Brighton. Consequently, they are anticipated to feature in this Europa League fixture. Jones won’t be eligible for the Premier League until the visit to Luton Town on November 5.

With these key players in the lineup, along with a strong supporting cast, Liverpool is expected to approach this match with confidence, especially considering their home advantage. Union SG managed a draw against Toulouse in their first match, offering Liverpool an opportunity to further assert their dominance as the group’s top-ranked team.

Securing the top spot in the group is crucial for Liverpool, as it would mean avoiding the round of 32 after Christmas, ensuring that their European campaign this season remains in line with their usual Champions League schedule.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s presence in the press conference suggests he is likely to start, offering him valuable minutes on the field following his recovery from injury. Unfortunately, Cody Gakpo will not be available for this match due to an issue he picked up just before scoring the equalizer against Spurs.

Here is the full list of available players for the manager:

Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Caoimhín Kelleher, Adrián.

Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Joël Matip, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas, Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endō, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Ryan Gravenberch.

Forwards: Luis Díaz, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota.

Injured Players: Thiago Alcântara, Cody Gakpo.

Doubtful Player: Stefan Bajčetić.