Jurgen Klopp gave many youngsters the nod to start in Belgium but almost nobody impressed in a 2-1 defeat.

Liverpool’s lack of experience was on show as they were beaten 2-1 by Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League on Thursday. With the likes of Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, Luke Chambers, Harvey Elliott and Ben Doak, the Reds fielded their youngest ever starting XI in a European match and their disjointed team struggled to overcome the feisty Belgian hosts.

Mohammed Amoura was passed through on goal to have a strong run at Caoimhin Kelleher, turning the goalkeeper before firing in the open goal, but the defending was caught too high up and disorganized. Liverpool’s only two shots of the game came from a corner, which was controlled by defender Jarell Quansah, who leveled the score for the Reds. However, moments later, Cameron Puertas broke through to lash in, exposing the defense once more.

Despite the introduction of Ryan Gravenberch and Joe Gomez followed by Darwin Nunez in the second half, it was the home team that looked more capable of finding the net and even had one goal disallowed, as Jurgen Klopp’s defence drowned while the attack failed to get going.

Liverpool were already through as group winners, but Jurgen Klopp will be concerned by how badly some of his team’s most promising young players performed against the Belgian side.

We rate Liverpool’s players from Lotto Park.

Caoimhin Kelleher – 7

Looked pretty solid in the early stages but both first-half goals will disappoint the Irishman. One went around him with a wrist not quite strong enough to stop the ball, while the second was a simple near-post strike – well hit, but still not one he’d enjoy conceding.

Decent aerial claims and one brilliant one-on-one stop very early on with his foot. Beaten by one shot to his left which was ruled out, then saved another to the same side and a late swerver high to his right.

Conor Bradley – 5

Pretty much a learning curve of a night on the defensive side, especially considering it was a long-awaited return to senior action with the club, with his last Reds start coming in 21/22.

Booked for one poor tackle and lost both possession and his man a number of times, but also got forward on the overlap when he could.

Ibrahima Konate – 5

Looks somewhat undercooked at present, big Ibou. Not his usual imperious self, even in straight-up foot-races such as for the second goal in the channel.

Only played 45 minutes as he’ll naturally be needed for league action now with Joel Matip out for the season.

Jarell Quansah – 7 – Man of the Match

This time his first Liverpool senior goal sticks! After one ruled out earlier in the group stage, Quansah hit this one just as hard, found the net again – and it counted this time.

Earlier had one or two issues with runners in the channels, including for the goal, which again shows the value of playing beside a more vocal partner for young defenders.

But thereafter was pretty solid, a mouthy fella at times it appeared, while he won his share of headers and blocked a few attempted runs through.

Luke Chambers – 5

Similar to Bradley but perhaps marginally less-impressive. Caught often with simple balls inside and lost a few challenges; more worryingly he looked extremely slow on the turn or attempting to run back into position.

Perhaps that was a mix of the bad pitch and some early adrenaline needing to be gotten rid of. Might have hoped to create a bit more of an impression.

Wataru Endo – 6

Another who only played the first half, with eyes on the upcoming domestic tasks and Alexis Mac Allister definitely out for the weekend.

Caught in possession once or twice and lost a tackle in the lead-up to the opening goal, but who cares. Avoiding injury was the only job to do here.

Harvey Elliott – 7

Along with Endo, the only two players in the Reds’ squad to start every Europa League group stage match.

Plenty of hard work and probably the best on the ball in midfield for the team, but unable to really get much going into the final third. We’ll take the run-out, the minutes in his legs and a bit of rhythm, as he’s been one of our more-impressive performers off the bench domestically.

Also looked much more involved and threatening when he was able to get forward to the right wing area at times.

Curtis Jones – 6

Captain from the start. Was one of the few who could control the ball on a pitch which looked like it had gone through a cement mixer shortly before kick-off.

However with his good positional play and one-touch game also came a sense of increased need to do things himself, which led to him losing possession in the lead up to Union’s first.

Kaide Gordon – 6

After four appearances in 2021/22, a year and a half of injury hell followed for the young forward.

Tonight’s return to action was his reward for overcoming that, with performance level an obvious low priority behind fitness, game time and a bit of confidence.

One or two dribbles served as a reminder of his talents and he’ll no doubt see more action in the coming weeks.

Ben Doak – 6

Played on the left, which is a rarity at senior level for him. One or two early sprint sessions and attempts to cut infield, but the pitch was a bog down his side and there was no real service or support for him in fairness.

Cody Gakpo – 4

The most lightweight 6-foot-3 forward on the planet, surely. Doesn’t use his bulk in the slightest, is way too easily knocked off-kilter and holds up nothing at all.

In truth, the Dutchman has been fairly poor for most of this season and looks a long way off a starting calibre option right now.

Perhaps his heart just wasn’t in a match which matters precisely zero but we need him to do better.

Substitutes

Joe Gomez (on for Konate, 46′) – 7 – Captain for the second half at centre-back. Won a few headers and some good recovery pace when needed.

Ryan Gravenberch (on for Endo, 46′) – 6 – Didn’t see too much of the ball but a nice winter’s evening run-out all the same. One fierce shot saved.

Calum Scanlon (on for Chambers, 62′) – 6 – Slightly more energetic than Chambers perhaps and no big troubles one-on-one.

Darwin Nunez (on for Doak, 62′) – 6 – Made a few runs into the channel but didn’t get a shot away.

James McConnell (on for Gordon, 75′) – n/a – A few more minutes in the bag and his longest appearance of three so far.