Liverpool play Union St. Gilloise in the Europa League on Thursday hoping to get back on track after losing one or perhaps all three points over the weekend due to a ridiculous and unprecedented farce of a refereeing performance.

The Belgians are off to a great start in their home league, where they now sit atop the standings after nine games with 19 points. They hope to make a run at the championship, which they have not won in 88 years. They played to a 1-1 draw against Toulouse at home in Group E’s opening round, but after a 3-1 victory over Charleroi last weekend, they should be feeling quite good about themselves.

Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)

Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Matip, Tsimikas; Endō, Gravenberch, Jonez; Díaz, Jota, Doak

Alexander Blessin has a generally healthy roster, but their leading scorer Dennis Eckert Ayensa is questionable after missing the club’s past four games with an injury. Kevin Mac Allister, Alexis’s brother, will play a key role in Les Unionistes’ defense.

The Reds might go with Caoimhin Kelleher in goal again, while Trent Alexander-Arnold could make his way back into the starting lineup as the Englishman works to regain his match fitness. Kostas Tsimikas will start in place of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté at left back, while Jol Matip and Joe Gomez may start in the middle.

Curtis Jones, whose appeal of his red card at the weekend was denied, will start in the middle of the field, and he will likely be joined by two of Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch, and Harvey Elliott. Both Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic are out with injuries.

Cody Gakpo, who scored the equalizer on Saturday before injuring his calf or knee, won’t play, but Diogo Jota will because he’s serving a one-game suspension; it’s unclear whether Jota will play on the wing supporting Darwin Nez in the middle or as a striker flanked by Luis Diaz. On the right side, Ben Doak might make his third start of the year.

What the Managers Said

Jürgen Klopp: “We face a team who is flying in the league, is obviously top of the table and is doing really, really well again after losing key players, doing well again, unbeaten in Europe away for a long time. Super-special what they are doing there and we have to be ready.”

Alexander Blessin: “It will be something different against fantastic players like Konaté and Matip. Although, maybe Matip will score another own goal like this weekend. Then we have a chance. Why not?“