Jurgen Klopp hints at lineup choices for Union Saint-Gilloise

Jurgen Klopp admitted he has 'no clue' who will start Liverpool's final Europa League group game on Thursday.

The Reds travel to Belgium to complete the group phase against Union Saint-Gilloise, with the game meaningless for the visitors.

Liverpool are already assured of top spot in Group E and safe passage to the last 16, having secured qualification with a game to spare in their last outing against LASK.

With the contest essentially a dead rubber and the visit of Manchester United to Anfield on Sunday looming, Klopp is expected to rest the vast majority of his regular starters.

READ MORE: How a youthful Liverpool could line up against Union S-G on Thursday

Speaking at the Anfield Road test event on Monday, the manager indicated that he will rotate his squad in Belgium.

He said (via the Liverpool Echo): “I’m really happy that we don’t have to win there, that would have been a really tough situation. We will rotate – we always did, that’s clear – but in this moment in time I have no clue who I will line up.

“I didn’t even think about it to be honest – no, really! – so I don’t know. I don’t know who will be available, who is ill, stuff like this. How often I make plans in my life, from one day to another, knowing I could throw it in the bin.

“We will have a good team and a team who is ready to give Union a proper fight. That’s all everybody can expect for us and that’s what we will do. It’s good for a lot of things, it’s good for rhythm. We’ve won the group already but we want to have these three points anyway.”

Youngsters like Luke Chambers, Conor Bradley and James McConnell are all likely to be given game time in the final Europa League group outing, while Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher and Ben Doak should all start having become regular options in the competition so far this season.

However, senior stars may only be risked if absolutely necessary.

Klopp famously started Diogo Jota in a meaningless Champions League game against Midtjylland during the 2020/21 season, only for the forward to suffer a knee injury that ruled him out for several months of the season.

With Liverpool eager to hold onto their spot at the top of the Premier League table and the fixtures coming thick and fast, Klopp will be eager not to repeat the same mistakes this time around with another dead rubber European tie.