Star Metro - Liverpool lose in Belgium, Villarreal reach Europa League last 16

NYSE - LSE

CMSC	-0.43%	20.9	$
BTI	-0.44%	55.675	$
RIO	-0.01%	101.85	$
RBGPF	5.18%	72.24	$
RYCEF	-0.25%	19.75	$
GSK	-0.59%	50.365	$
BCE	0.49%	23.525	$
NGG	-1.27%	78.16	$
BCC	2.03%	77.415	$
BP	-1.14%	43.97	$
CMSD	-0.31%	20.715	$
VOD	0.22%	16.085	$
RELX	-1.55%	35.155	$
AZN	-0.25%	162.06	$
JRI	-0.25%	12.14	$

Liverpool lose in Belgium, Villarreal reach Europa League last 16

SPORTS 14.12.2023

Liverpool lose in Belgium, Villarreal reach Europa League last 16 / Photo: Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD - AFP

A youthful Liverpool side lost 2-1 at Union Saint-Gilloise in their final Europa League group game on Thursday, while Villarreal snatched a place in the last 16 from Rennes with a dramatic victory in France.

Text size:

Elsewhere, Azeri club Qarabag reached the knock-out play-off round and Slavia Prague finished top of Group G ahead of last season's runners-up Roma.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp rang the changes with his team already secure as Group E winners and with an eye on the weekend's Premier League game against rivals Manchester United, starting six players aged 20 or younger.

Saint-Gilloise, who needed a victory to keep alive their hopes of pipping Toulouse to second place, took the lead through Mohamed Amoura before Jarell Quansah hit back for Liverpool.

Cameron Puertas restored the hosts' advantage two minutes before half-time with a low strike which beat Caoimhin Kelleher at his near post.

Klopp threw on Joe Gomez, Ryan Gravenberch and Darwin Nunez in the second half, but Saint-Gilloise held on for a famous win, although the Belgians dropped into the Europa Conference League play-off round after Toulouse beat LASK Linz 2-1 in the group's other game to finish second.

Dani Parejo scored a late winner as Villarreal took top spot in Group F and direct qualification for the last 16 with a 3-2 victory at Rennes.

Lorenz Assignon hammered home in the 12th minute of injury time to seemingly send Rennes back to the group summit, but his goal was ruled out by VAR and scuffles broke out after the final whistle.

The Ligue 1 club only needed to avoid defeat to finish first, but instead will have to face a team dropping out of the Champions League in the play-off.

Qarabag finished second in Group H courtesy of a 2-1 success against Haecken.

They were a distant eight points adrift of group winners Bayer Leverkusen, though, as the Bundesliga leaders extended their unbeaten start to the season to 23 matches in all competitions by thrashing Molde 5-1.

Jose Mourinho's Roma had to settle for a knock-out play-off berth despite beating Sheriff Tiraspol 3-0 as Slavia Prague thrashed Servette 4-0.

In the Conference League, Premier League high-fliers Aston Villa qualified for the last 16 as Nicolo Zaniolo netted his first goal for the club in a 1-1 draw at Bosnian club Zrinjski.

M.Johnston--SMC

Featured

Man City, Chelsea fuel record-breaking Premier League transfer window

Manchester City launched a new era by setting a Premier League transfer window record, while Chelsea made Morgan Rogers the most expensive British player in history.

Third-ranked Pegula powers into US Open third round

World number three Jessica Pegula raced into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday, dominating on serve in a 6-3, 6-1 victory over compatriot Sofia Kenin.

Balogun rejected Everton move over transfer 'treatment'

Folarin Balogun's £40 million ($54 million) move to Everton from Monaco collapsed hours before the transfer window closed because the United States striker pulled out over his "treatment" by the Premier League side, the Ligue 1 club's managing director said on Wednesday.

Northampton seek 'happy medium' in bid to keep England star Pollock

Northampton are attempting to find a "happy medium" in order to keep Henry Pollock at the Prem champions after his agent said that the rising England star was worth a seven-figure salary.