A young Liverpool side put up a spirited fight before falling short in a <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2023/12/15/young-liverpool-team-gain-important-experience-in-europa-league-defeat/" target="_blank">2-1 Europa League defeat </a>to Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday. A first senior goal for 20-year-old centre-back Jarell Quansah, their 14th different scorer this season, was the only highlight on a testing evening for Klopp's side. Quansah's 40th-minute leveller equalled a club record 34th-successive goal-scoring match as they prepared for Manchester United on Sunday. Liverpool's top spot in the Europa group was already secure despite a second defeat but the win took Union into the Europa Conference League play-offs. The team's average age was just 21.9 years old - Wataru Endo, 30, five years older than the next senior player - with only Ibrahima Konate and Cody Gakpo regular names. After the defeat, manager Klopp said his players put up a brave fight, given the circumstances. "For some it was a really important experience and for others good for rhythm. I saw good performances," he said. "Of course as a team it is not a fair assessment if I say now they are top of the table in Belgium and we come here, bring kids - altogether that's really difficult - but I thought we gave it a go and that's OK for me. "Nobody got hurt, nobody is injured, so we recover, go home and go again." Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.