Joel Matip scored a last-minute own goal in Liverpool's controversial 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on Saturday
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise’s manager has taken a tongue-in-cheek dig at Liverpool defender Joel Matip ahead of the Belgian’s side trip to Anfield on Thursday. The Reds sit top of Group E after winning their Europa League opener 3-1 away at LASK Linz two weeks ago, but head into their second group outing off the back of a controversial 2-1 loss away at Tottenham.
Jurgen Klopp’s side would have two men sent off and see a Luis Diaz goal incorrectly disallowed for offside after VAR intervened, before a last-minute own goal from Matip saw them suffer defeat. In contrast, Union come into Thursday’s match off the back of a 31 win away at home to Charleroi, and currently sit top of the Belgian Pro League table. Meanwhile, they occupy third spot in Europa League Group E after an opening 1-1 draw at home to Ligue 1 side Toulouse. The Belgian outfit’s trip to Anfield will be one of the biggest games in the club’s history, with last season’s surprise run to the Europa League quarter-finals, where they lost to Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, the first time they had competed in Europe since 1964.READ MORE: 'Dangerous thing to do' - Mikel Arteta speaks out on Liverpool VAR controversy Ahead of Thursday’s game, manager Alexander Blessin has shared his excitement at being able to lock horns with Klopp’s side at Anfield. But well aware of the challenge his Union side face taking on Liverpool, he has joked they might need Matip to score another own goal if they are to cause an upset. “The high temperature at this time of year played tricks on us and we were sometimes a bit too lazy and sleepy,” Blessin told reporters after his side’s victory over Chaleroi. “Liverpool was already something on our minds. “It will be something different against fantastic players like Konate and Matip. Although, maybe Matip will score another own goal like this weekend. Then we have a chance. Why not?” Meanwhile, Blessin also revealed how he will be fulfilling a personal dream to manage at Anfield, having previously visited Liverpool’s famous ground when in charge of RB Leipzig’s Under-19s side five years ago. “When I was still coach of the U19 of Leipzig, we once played against the U19 of Liverpool in the preparation,” he said. “We then visited Anfield and the museum. “I sent a video to my wife of myself in the stadium, saying that it would be a dream to play there one day. Five years later the time has come. If it is so special for me, I can imagine it is the same for my players.”
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