It certainly wasn’t a vintage display, but Liverpool got the job done, and if this week has proven anything, that’s all that really matters.
Despite dominating at Anfield, the Reds made much harder work of Union Saint-Gilloise than they really ought to. Given Alisson went virtually unworked throughout the game, it was a much nervier finish than many would have expected after Ryan Gravenberch’s opener in the first half.
Thankfully, Diogo Jota was on hand to wrap things up late on, and leave Liverpool in pole position to qualify from their group.
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Of course, that was the least that was expected of Jürgen Klopp’s side after it was handed, on paper, a relatively easy draw, but with a double header against Toulouse coming up next in Europe, the Reds can safely wrap up top spot without the need for a play-off against one of the Champions League dropouts.
And that’s certainly not a position they should take for granted, especially after seeing two of their biggest Premier League rivals stumble this week.
Manchester United already has it all to do as it sits bottom of its Champions League group after yet another defeat, this time against Galatasaray.
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![Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.](https://i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk/incoming/article28219150.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_GettyImages-1748470251.jpg)
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Already seven points behind Liverpool in the league and with injuries piling up, Erik ten Hag won’t be afforded the luxury of resting some of his top stars later in the group stage, something which Klopp has been able to do from the start of Liverpool’s European campaign. That luxury was on show again against Union SG as he brought Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez off at half-time, knowing his side was more than strong enough to see out the win.
Arsenal also has work to do after defeat at Lens, and with a tricky double header against Sevilla coming up, Mikel Arteta knows he still has plenty of work to do.
Liverpool’s priority is clear this season — get back into the Champions League. Whether that’s through finishing in the top four, or by winning the Europa League, Klopp knows the Reds can’t have another season out of the continent’s premier competition.
With Tottenham emerging as contenders early on this season, the former of those options could get a little more crowded, but Liverpool has already given itself a major advantage certainly over United, and possibly Arsenal as well, to ensure last season’s slip-up isn’t repeated.