Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool tips and predictions: Rotation to cost Reds victory in Brussels

Jurgen Klopp can put his feet up and enjoy his evening in Brussels safe in the knowledge his Reds have topped the group.

On the other hand, the runaway Belgian league leaders have to beat Liverpool and keep their fingers crossed for LASK to beat second-placed Toulouse.

A pair of credible draws against the French side has given them an outside chance, albeit there needs to be a three-goal swing for them to progress on goal difference.

There was nothing emphatic about Liverpool’s 2-0 win in the reverse fixture at Anfield. Alexander Blessin’s side stood their ground and might fancy their chances here.

The Reds rotated heavily for their away fixture at LASK and dug themselves a hole which subs Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah eventually lifted them out of.

In Toulouse, the absence of Virgil van Dijk aided the hosts as they created four Opta-defined big chances on the night.

Rotation has caused Liverpool issues in this group but there isn’t a Kopite on earth that would swap a victory here for a less-than-fully-fit XI on Sunday.

For that reason, we wouldn’t be shocked to see Union get on the scoresheet and claim some sort of reason.

If the hosts win by a single goal and Toulouse lose by a single goal, they’ll be eliminated by way of goals scored. Even if Liverpool field a weak side, there will be space to exploit.

Team news

Top scorer Mohamed Amoura is fit for Union SG, but the Belgians will be without the suspended Charles Vanhoutte. Kevin Mac Allister, brother of Liverpool’s Kevin, is likely to start.

Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, Andy Robertson, Diogo Jota and Stefan Bajcetic have been ruled out, but Alexis Mac Allister could return.

The likes of Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk could be rested ahead of their showdown with Man Utd.

Key stats

- Union Saint-Gilloise have won six straight games at home
- Union Saint-Gilloise are unbeaten at home in the Europa League this season
- Liverpool have failed to win nine of their last 11 away games in this competition

Suggested bets

Union Saint-Gilloise: Draw no bet

Both teams to score

Over 2.5 goals