Union Saint-Gilloise vs Liverpool – Europa League: Live score, team news and updates as Belgians lead against Jurgen Klopp’s struggling youngsters after Jarell Quansah’s equaliser alongside Zrinjski vs Aston Villa updates

Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Union Saint-Gilloise host Liverpool in the Europa League plus updates from Zrinjski Mostar’s clash with Aston Villa.

Five minutes added on in USG vs Liverpool

GOAL! Aldin Hrvanovic! ZRINJSKI 1-1 ASTON VILLA!

A stunning finish and a momentous moment for Zrinjski!

A simply beautiful strike from just outside the box. It deflects off Ezri Konsa to beat Filip Marschall, but Hrvanovic won’t care how it went in. We will bring you the video later.

Thirty minutes until West Ham get going

John McGinn booked

Villa bring on a debutant!

Tommi O’Reilly is now on for his first-ever Aston Villa appearance, as he has replaced Moussa Diaby. Big shoes to fill!

Meanwhile, a scary moment for Villa as Filip Marschall is caught off his line misjudging the flight of the ball and the ball nearly goes in.

Ryan Gravenberch shoots!

The substitute had the second shot of the night for Liverpool. That’s how toothless they have been.

It was a decent shot from the edge of the area, forcing a save.

WATCH: Nicolo Zaniolo's opener for Aston Villa

What an impac from substitute John McGinn with the cross, and the take from Zaniolo was of a high order.

Liverpool sub

James McConnell on for Kaide Gordon.

A third Liverpool outing for the 19-year-old midfielder.

USG miss by a whisker!

Gustaf Nilsson smacked a header just a few inches wide and was completely unmarked in the box. The big man probably should have converted that after a sumptuous cross from the left.

A couple of minutes later, Caoimhin Kelleher is worked by Mohamed Amoura, again one-on-one. Liverpool’s defence looks entirely theoreticla tonight. it could be three or four for the Belgians.

Liverpool subs: two changes

Darwin Nunez and Calum Scanlon are on for Ben Doak and Luke Chambers.

Union Saint-Gilloise goal ruled out!

Well, the Belgians have had their third goal slashed after a handball was given against Lazare Amani in the build-up. It was a clear one against his arm in and around the box.

GOAL! NICOLO ZANIOLO! ZRINJSKI 0- 1 ASTON VILLA!

GOAL! CAMERON PUERTAS! UNION SAINT-GILLOISE 3-1 LIVERPOOL!

The game is getting away from Liverpool now!

Nice take from the edge of the area after some sloppy defending by Liverpool.

Aston Villa subs

John McGinn is on for Jaco Ramsey, while Lucas Digne is on for Alex Moreno.

Mixed reviews for Ben Doak so far!

What have you made of Ben Doak’s performance?

Some commenters on X are hugely impressed by the 18-year-old winger, with one even christening him the new Kenny Dalglish.

Others are not so complimentary and don’t think he is ready for the first team.

Whatever your view, it’s worth remembering that he is so young and pressure shouldn’t be put on him to excel in every game.

Yellow card for Noah Sadiki after Ben Doak foul

Ben Doak, the fleet-footed ‘Tasmanian Devil’, was past Noah Sadiki on the flank when the USG midfielder tugged him down. A booking at last, but he could have had one earlier for a similar foul on Curtis Jones.

Jacob Ramsey tries his best

Some tricky feet inside the box there from Jacob Ramsey and then he tries a shot from an impossible angle over to the left of the goal. Deflected out for a corner.

For all their 77 per cent possesson, Unai Emery’s side haven’t managed many shots on goal – just seven so far.

Cynical foul from USG

Noah Sadiki could have been booked there for feling Curtis Jones as he burst through the heart of the midfield and had options galore. Free-kick given but no cards brandished.

Liverpool subs: two changes as second half begins

Ryan Gravenberch and Joe Gomez have come on for Wataru Endo ad Ibrahima Konate.

Interesting changes from Jurgen Klopp as al the youngsters stay on.

Gomez takes the armband from Curtis Jones as the second half gets underway.

Expect an entertaining second half as USG battle for their Europa League future!

This is the Group E table as it stands:

Union Sant-Gilloise are depending on LASK to beat Toulouse, and they also need to get a couple more goals against Liverpool.

Finishing third in the group will see them drop into the Europa Conference League, but they don’t want that.

WATCH: Cameron Puertas restores USG's lead

If there’s a theme running through tonight’s performance, it’s that Liverpool have been way too easy to peel apart.

That move took four touches to construct, but it was a great take from Cameron Puertas.

WATCH: Jarell Quansah's EQUALISER

You wouldn’t think he’s a defender with a strike as clinical as this! Quick thinking from the 20-year-old. I guess he’ll have to do it all over again, though!

Half-time: Zrinjski 0-0 Aston Villa

Half-time: Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool

GOAL! CAMERON PUERTAS! UNION SAINT-GILLOISE 2-1 LIVERPOOL!

Well, well, well.

How about that for a finish?

Cameron Puertas received the ball on the cusp of the box after a nice pass from Mohamed Aurora.

He took a touch to set himself, then fired it low and hard with his next into the near corner to Caoimhin Kelleher’s right.

GOAL! JARELL QUANSAH! UNION SAINT-GILLOISE 1-1 LIVERPOOL!

A special moment for Jarell Quansah with his first Reds goal, and what a hit!

From a corner, Ibrahima Konate couldn’t reach the ball for a header. It fell at the feet of Jarell Quansah, who simply took a touch and smashed it home from inside the area.

WATCH: Union Saint-Gilloise's opening goal

GOAL! MOHAMED AMOURA! UNION SAINT-GILLOISE 1-0 LIVERPOOL!

The Union Saint-Gilloise frontman was played through and darted towards the onrushing Caoimhin Kelleher.

Trying to run past the goalkeeper, he has to be industrious as the custodian gets a hand to it while diving, but he rampages through and hits it into an empty net once past him.

Liverpool were carved open too easily there. Only Ibrahima Konate was anywhere near the runaway striker.

There was a VAR check for offside, but the goal was given.

Jhon Duran shot saved

Nice effort there from Jhon Duran but his effort is collected by the goalkeeper. Not much cuttng-edge so far from Unai Emery’s men, but plenty of desire.

Top support in Brussels!

Travelling Liverpool fans are certainly making themselves heard in the Belgian capital!

How have you assessed the first 30 minutes, Reds fans?

How are Aston Villa getting on?

Aston Villa just had a corner and tried a low curling pass in the area for Nicolo Zaniolo to run onto, but a Zrinjski defender got there first. Could have been a really nicely worked move.

Not many chances so far!

Conor Bradley given yellow card

The young centre-back got a bit over-excited in a tussle. He’s on eggshells for the rest of the night.

A physical test so far

One thing is for certain – Liverpool’s young guns aren’t being given an easy ride!

Caoimhin Kelleher with a big save!

Gustaf Nilsson outstrengthed Jareel Quansah to latch onto a through ball and was one-on-one with Liverpool’s goalkeeper.

But the Irishman was quick off his line to snuff out the threat and saved the day. Great goalkeeping!

How young is Liverpool's starting XI?

Check this out!

We’re being treated to a glimpse of the future tonight as only Wataru Endo is above 25 years old!

Cody Gakpo stifled!

Beautiful ball over the top from Conor Bradley, an incisive cross-field through ball in a Trent Alexander-Arnold style.

Cody Gakpo takes down the ball but can’t quite control it under pressure from the two centre-backs.

At the other end, Mohamed Amoura got close to Caoimhin Kelleher with a burst of pace but his effort went out for a corner.

View from the stands

Gregg Evans of The Athletic has hit the nail on the head here.

Liverpool’s youngsters have enormous potential but have so far ceded several opportunities to Union Sant-Gilloise, who are getting lots of joy down the right and left flanks.

On the ball, Liverpool are comfortable but haven’t carved out much yet.

Union Saint-Gilloise go close!

After a series of blocks, Noah Sadiki found himself with the ball on the edge of the box and hit it first time, but dragged his low shot wide to the right of the goal.

Shaky start from Liverpool’s young charges!

Liverpool defend counter-attack

Union Saint-Gilloise looked dangers there!

They broke from a Liverpool free-kick and hit the right flank, playing a ball into the middle which Ibrahima Konate didn’t deal with.

Conor Bradley had a test trying to stifle Lazare Amani on the right edge of the area.

The Belgians got a shot off but it was limp in the end.

Quiet start for the Reds

Not much to shout about for Jurgen Klopp’s men so far.

They’ve dominated the ball but haven’t made any major inroads.

Aston Villa go close!

Nicolo Zaniolo just had a half-volley in the box after Aston Villa surged down the left, but he turned it over the bar.

Kick-off!

Both of our games are underway!

Average Liverpool age: 22.5

TNT Sports claim that this could be the youngest-ever Liverpool side named in a first-class game!

Bravo to valiant Villa fans!

We’ve just heard that some Villa fans have actually driven the full 1,300 mils to tonight’s game in a camper van for two days!

Big commitment, that!

Final preparations

It’s a big night for some of Liverpool’s youngsters to prove themselves!

Ten minutes until kick-off!

Jurgen Klopp: I want youngsters to make mistakes

Jurgen Klopp has named six players aho are aged 20 or under tonight. here’s what he told TNT Sports.

‘It’s really important that we can do these kind of things. tonight is a big opportunity. it’s a nice mix betwee experience and youth.

‘It’s about seeing opportunity, giving 100 per cent, and make sure you are ready to make mistakes and learn from that. I want to see cheeky moments!

‘It makes absolute sense that Curtis Jones leads this team. He’s the eldest of the youngest. He can be a role model for the kids.’

On Harvey Elliott: ‘He is obviously for us a really important player whether he starts or comes on. He will have his moments tonight.’

Curtis Jones captains Liverpool!

What an honour for academy graduate Curtis Jones.

The 22-year-old has been with the club since the age of nine and tonight he leads them out on the European stage.

Believe it or not, this is already his 111th appearances for the senior side. Is he a Kop hero in the making?

Follow our reporter Lewis Steele

Make sure to follow our Merseyside football reporter Lewis Steele on X!

He’ll be bringing us his thoughts after the game tonight, right here on Mail Sport.

RECAP: How the Reds got on last time they met Union Saint-Gilloise

Goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota eased the Reds to a comfortale Anfield win ealrier in the season.

Check out the highlights from that game here.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=VXh9cLqfYPc%3Frel%3D0

Dean Smith's bizarre new job 'requirements'!

Ex-Aston Villa manager Dean Smith, who took to club to the Premier League, has been unveiled as Charlotte FC’s new gaffer across the pond in the MLS.

Some eagle-eyed social media sleuths took a close look at his ‘contract’ with the club, which includes some rather wacky clauses.

READ MORE BELOW.

Hello Reds!

Here we see Harvey Elliott rocking up, as well as Calum Scanlon and Marcelo Pitaluga, who are on the bench.

So, are Aston Villa safe and dry?

You might think that if Aston Villa are in the top two of their group that they automatically get through to the last 16 of the Europa Conference League, but that isn’t the case!

Yes, they’re through the group, but if they finish second behind Legia Warsaw, they will have a play-off against one of the Europa League drop-down teams who finished third in their group.

A point tonight will do.

GO DEEPER: the lowdown on Ben Doak and other youngsters

Ben Doak has been described by Virgil van Dijk as a ‘Tasmanian Devil’.

Van Dijk had high praise for the 18-year-old: ‘He’s very exciting, very direct, one-on-one.’

And how about Jurgen Klopp? He said: ‘Ben is a special boy. He is really confident and has something nobody else delivers.’

He’s made four outings this season, but in case you’re not familiar with one of the club’s hottest prospects, here is Lewis Steele’s piece on him and some of the starlets set for minutes tonight.

A closer look at tonight's venues

Only an hour to go until kick-off, folks!

Moises Caicedo: Liverpool arrived 'too late' for me

We heard enough in the summer that Moises Caicedo idolised Chelsea since a young age – there was that old picture of him sat in a car boot wearing a Blues kit alongside his mother.

Lots of Liverpool fans were gutted to miss out on the young midfielder, but… well, it hasn’t turned out too badly so far, has it?

WATCH: Jurgen Klopp's thoughts on Union Saint-Gilloise

Aston Villa's line-up is out!

It’s a fairly seasoned line-up from Aston Villa tonight with some big hitters including Douglas Luiz, Moussa Diaby, and a solid defence.

But young goalkeeper Filip Marschall is given a shot between the sticks with Robin Olsen unavailable.

Jacob Ramsey makes his first start since returning from injury.

Liverpool release line-up full of youngsters!

Well, it IS a night for youth as we expected.

Harvey Elliott, Callum Chambers, Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, and Curtis Jones – of varying levels of experience – are all given the nod.

Which Liverpool youngsters could we see in action?

Jurgen Klopp knows the importance of rotating his side, particularly with a match against Manchester United beckoning on Sunday.

Could this be a night for Ben Doak on the wing and Callum Chambers in left-back?

Maybe even a Kaide Gordon, the winger who has returned from 19 months in the injury underworld? He’s clearly got perseverance.

Jarell Quansah and Harvey Elliott, who are more established, will also fancy themselves.

Who do you want to see tonight, Reds fans?

Beautiful surroundings for a European jaunt!

Even Birmingham’s most ardent fans might envy views like this!

But Aston Villa would do well not to get caught up in the historic sights.

Zrinjski Mostar claimed a 4-3 win over AZ Alkmaar earlier in the group stages. Not a bad scalp.

Harvey Elliott dreams big

Harvey Elliott does not want to be a mere super-sub under Jurgen Klopp!

The 20-year-old, who would be expected to start tonight, is aiming to establish himself as a more regular first-team player.

READ MORE BELOW.

Good evening!

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog of Thursday’s 5.45pm European action!

Tonight sees Liverpool visit Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League, though they’re playing at Anderlecht’s Lotto Park.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have an away day in Bosnia and Herzegovina, playing Zrinjski in the Europa Conference League.

Both English sides have already made it out of the groups, but it’s still sure to be a fascinating night!

We’ll have separate coverage of West Ham later.

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