Ryan Gravenberch successfully scored an important goal for Liverpool for a 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise in the second matchday of the European League Group E at Anfield, Friday (6/10/23). Taking advantage of Union Saint-Gilloise goalkeeper Anthony Moris’ mistake when the ball he caught slipped out of his hands, Gravenberch shot the ball into a goal.
The goal that occurred in the 44th minute was very valuable considering that throughout the first half almost every Liverpool attack failed to produce a goal. Liverpool’s second goal came in the second half in the 90+2 minute from a counter-attack. The ball was in the possession of Luis Diaz who took it into the opponent’s penalty area.
With one touch the ball was given to Diogo Jota who was free to face goalkeeper Moris. Jota was quite deceptive with his left foot into the goal of the Belgian club, Union Saint Gilloise. A relieving victory for Juergen Klopp’s troops. Remembering that throughout the match they had so many opportunities but they always hit the tight defense and brilliant goalkeeper Moris.
Liverpool with all the power they have in the attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, who each scored 248 goals, but they are completely stuck in breaking through the opponent’s goal. Luckily, Gravenberch, the 21-year-old former Ajax and Bayern Munich midfielder, managed to break the deadlock with a goal just one minute before the end of the first half.
This goal was very valuable as a boost to the spirit of the Reds squad which lost important moments during the first half. Likewise, throughout the second half, the performance of Klopp’s squad still had not found the rhythm of their sharp game.
The replacement of two of the three front players at the break was more due to plans prepared by Klopp and not a reflection of their contribution during the first half. In the second half, Luis Diaz came on to replace Nunez and Curtis Jones came on to replace Mohamed Salah. It was evident that during the second half the game remained monotonous.
Jota, who continued to play throughout the match for 90 minutes, finally scored the second goal through a breakaway scheme in added time to ease the tension in the final minutes. While securing the victory, Liverpool won the full 3 points to lead Group E with 6 points from two perfect wins.
That night’s match was also Mohamed Salah’s first appearance in the European League. For Mo Salah, in his 150th game at Anfield, he should have been able to add to the 103 goals he has scored on this pitch in the fifth minute. That moment came when outstanding young centre-back Jarrell Quansah, filling in for rested captain Virgil van Dijk, won the ball in midfield and provided an accurate assist to Mo Salah.
However, it was a shame that the international player from Egypt was unable to beat goalkeeper Anthony Moris, who played brilliantly that night. Likewise, Darwin Nunez’s rebound goal in the 10th minute from Gravenberch’s shot, it turned out that there had been an offside position previously. where the VAR Official quickly made the right decision.
Nunez also wasted a golden opportunity when he sent his right-footed shot wide from close range after receiving Mohamed Salah’s cross from the right side of Liverpool’s attack. Another moment was that Mohamed Salah’s header was too weak so the ball went straight to the goalkeeper and was easily caught by Moris.
After almost withstanding all of Liverpool’s pressure and the brilliant performance of goalkeeper Anthony Moris, they finally conceded. Liverpool captain Trent Alexander-Arnold broke through from the left, cut inside with his right foot and drilled a low shot. which bounced off Moris’ hand.
The thrown ball was easily used as a goal by Gravenberch as his goalkeeper with Liverpool. Apart from that, this was also the goal that broke the deadlock for the Reds squad throughout the first half. Liverpool made nine changes after Saturday’s Premier League defeat against Spurs. Trent Alexander-Arnold started for the first time in more than a month after returning from injury.
Meanwhile, Alexis Mac Allister had to settle for a place on the bench. In the opposing camp, his brother, named Kevin Mac Allister, actually started for Union Saint-Gilloise. A very impressive match for the Reds fans who attended Andfield Stadium. Congratulations to Liverpool.
ASL
