UEFA Europa League: Union SG vs Liverpool Live
Preview
Liverpool will visit Lotto Park in Belgium to play against Union SG in their last Group E match of the Europa League on Thursday. Despite already securing a spot in the last 16 as group winners, Liverpool will face Union SG, who still have a slim chance of finishing in the top two and advancing to the knockout rounds.
Union SG is participating in the Europa League for only the second time in their history. Their chances of advancing to the knockout round are uncertain after a goalless draw with Toulouse in their last match. They currently hold the third position in Group E with five points from five games. To progress, they must achieve a significant upset against Liverpool in their final group match and hope that Toulouse loses to LASK Linz.
If they finish third in the group, they will move down to the Europa Conference League playoffs, but a fourth-place finish would result in their elimination from European competition. Following their draw with Toulouse, Union SG has won their last three domestic games, including a 3-1 victory against Charleroi, which has helped them secure a six-point lead at the top of the Belgian Pro League. They are now aiming to win consecutive Europa League home games for the first time, having previously defeated LASK Linz 2-1 in October.
Despite a 3-2 loss to Toulouse in their fourth match, Liverpool secured a spot in the Europa League last 16 with a game to spare by defeating LASK Linz 4-0 at home in their fifth match. The victory, featuring goals from Cody Gakpo (2), Luis Diaz, and Mohamed Salah, marked their fourth win in Group E and their 10th consecutive win at Anfield across all competitions this season. With a four-point lead over Toulouse in second place, Liverpool is guaranteed to top the group.
This win sparked a four-match winning streak for Jurgen Klopp’s team, including victories over Fulham, Sheffield United, and a 2-1 win against Crystal Palace with a 91st-minute winner from Harvey Elliott. Liverpool’s climb to the top of the Premier League table was aided by Arsenal’s loss at Aston Villa. Before facing Manchester United and Arsenal in their next two top-flight fixtures, Liverpool will focus on their final Europa League match against Union SG to conclude the group stage on a high note.
Head-to-head
Union SG has been defeated in their last three encounters with English teams, including a 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in September.
Prediction
Union SG has the responsibility to be the aggressor against Liverpool at home in order to secure a top-two finish. Thursday’s match presents a good chance for them to defeat Liverpool, who may field a heavily rotated team. However, Klopp’s chosen lineup should still be strong enough to outscore Union SG and secure a victory to finish Group E on a positive note.
