Liverpool’s final Europa League group stage match against Union SG served as an experimental ground for Jürgen Klopp, given that the Reds had already secured the top spot in their group. The 2-1 loss in Belgium held little weight in terms of advancing in the competition, allowing Klopp to provide valuable playing time to emerging talents and those returning from injury.

A notable highlight of the match was the long-awaited return of Kaide Gordon to senior action after an absence of 693 days. While Gordon didn’t make a substantial impact on the game, his 75-minute stint was seen as a crucial step forward, signaling promising opportunities for the young talent in the future.

The tactical decision to field a blend of youngsters and fringe players, including Luke Chambers and Conor Bradley, showcased the depth within Liverpool’s squad. Despite the loss, the match served as a learning experience for less-experienced players, offering exposure to the demands of European competition.

Liverpool.com identified three key moments from the match. On the positive side, Gordon’s return symbolized progress and potential. The report acknowledged that, while his impact was limited in this particular game, there are expectations of more opportunities for Gordon in the coming weeks.

However, more experienced players like Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, and Cody Gakpo did not shine in the match. The report highlighted that their subdued performance in a game with nothing at stake wasn’t a cause for concern. Instead, the focus was on Jones, in particular, who needed to build match sharpness after recovering from an injury.

Treating the match essentially as a training session, Liverpool.com noted the absence of significant challenges. With the outcome having minimal consequences, Klopp used the opportunity to experiment with the lineup, resulting in a loss that didn’t carry substantial weight. Despite the changes and the inclusion of less-experienced players, the overall performance was deemed decent under the given circumstances.

Looking forward, Liverpool anticipates the knockout stages in March, with the opponent for the next round yet to be determined. The match against Union SG provided insights into the squad’s depth and potential, offering a glimpse of what lies ahead in the competition.