On Thursday night, Liverpool is back in action in Europe as Ben Doak aims for a piece of club history.
Jurgen Klopp’s 50th triumph in Europe as Liverpool’s manager came from the Reds’ victory at LASK on Matchday One. No manager has led the team to more victories.
If chosen, Mohamed Salah will compete in his 150th match for Liverpool at Anfield. 103 of his goals have been scored in front of the Kop.
If Ben Doak scores, he would join Michael Owen (17 years, 276 days) as the only other 17-year-olds to score for Liverpool in Europe. Doak’s age would be 17 years, 328 days.
European ancestry
The Reds have won 12 of their past 13 group games in European competition.
The Reds played 15 Europa League matches in 2015/16, winning six of them and drawing seven more.
The Reds’ most recent Europa League setback at Anfield was a 3-2 loss to Udinese in October 2012.
Since losing back-to-back home matches against Lyon and Fiorentina in the 2009–10 Champions League group stages, Liverpool has not suffered consecutive defeats in Europe.
In each of their first three seasons in the competition, the Reds have won their Europa League group. They have accumulated 10 points three times: in 2010–11, 2012–13, and 2015–16.
Numerous cards
After waiting 261 games to receive the four preceding red cards, Liverpool has now received four in the last eight games.
This season, the Reds have won all four of their home games, scoring a total of 12 goals.
Salah has scored five goals in five substitute appearances for Liverpool in European play, averaging one goal per 13 and a half minutes.
Following Anderlecht, Standard Liege, FC Bruges, and Genk as opponents in European competition, Union SG is the fifth Belgian team that Liverpool has faced.
The role of Belgium in history
In 15 matches, Liverpool has a 12-win, 2-drawn, and 1-loss record against Belgian opponents. There have been 28 goals scored throughout that run.
Anderlecht suffered the loss in Brussels during the 1978 European Super Cup, falling 3-1 to a squad that included players like Arie Haan, Francois van der Elst, Franky Vercauteren, and Robbie Rensenbrink (the latter three scored the goals).
