Liverpool have got half the job done in their Europa League group with six points on the board now following their 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise. Diogo Jota scored late on after Ryan Gravenberch found the net for his first Liverpool goal as Jurgen Klopp’s side clinched a comfortable victory. Express Sport picks out four things learned from Liverpool’s victory.
Gravenberch and Konate undroppable
Curtis Jones has been Klopp’s first choice midfielder to play with summer signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in the Premier League. But Ryan Gravenberch has proven once again in Europe that he’s more than ready to step up and Jones’ red card all but makes the Dutchman undroppable for this weekend against Brighton.
He showcased his attacking intent by being the first to react to Anthony Moris’ error, but it was his work in midfield that will have impressed Klopp the most. In defence, it’s hard to see why Ibrahima Konate won’t return to the starting line-up in the Premier League either.
He was the calming presence at the back alongside the young Jarell Quansah and the Frenchman will arguably fancy his chance of a first league start since August.
Darwin Nunez off target again
Klopp would have been delighted to give Nunez some much-needed minutes in Europe to improve his match fitness, but the striker was off his game in his 45-minute cameo. The Uruguayan came under criticism last season for missing a host of guilt-edge chances despite getting in great positions.
He started this season in better form, but was back to his old ways in the first half against Union Saint-Gilloise. Nunez had a tap in from six yards out after Mohamed Salah played the ball across the face of the goal, but the striker somehow fluffed his lines and missed the target altogether.
Klopp’s reaction said it all on the sidelines as he held his head in his hands in sheer disgust.
Alexander-Arnold embracing captaincy
Modern day captaincy doesn’t appear to matter as much as it did a decade ago with clubs adopting a ‘leadership group’. Liverpool have undergone changes in their leadership group with Trent Alexander-Arnold promoted to the club’s vice-captain this season.
And the 24-year-old appears made for the role as he’s fully embraced the captain’s armband. Instead of crumbling under the weight of the extra responsibility, Alexander-Arnold has led from the front and stepped up his performance even more.
Virgil van Dijk may hold the captaincy for now when everyone is on the pitch, but Alexander-Arnold’s displays with the armband will certainly please Klopp.
European mission going to plan
Liverpool would have seen their Europa League group and expected an easy route to the knockout phase, but that doesn’t always work out that way. Multiple changes in the starting line-up risk disrupting any club’s rhythm and they can often be found out in surprise losses.
But Liverpool have been professional in getting the job done in their opening two group games to put them on the verge of qualifying already. They’ll need to keep up those levels in the next few group games to give Klopp an opportunity to rest some key players in the latter matches.
But they’ve got off to the perfect start and winning can breed confidence.
