Despite losing 2-0 on the pitch, the fans of Union Saint-Gilloise did not disappoint when they played Liverpool in the group stages of the Europa League on Thursday night.
For most of the game at Anfield, you could only hear the yellow and blue Union Saint-Gilloise faithful in the corner of the ground.
"Amazing night, amazing fans," Brussels MP Juan Benjumea, who was among the travelling supporters, told The Brussels Times. "We kept meeting people who said we stole the show!"
Union's players pictured at the start of a match. Credit: Belga / Virginie Lefour
Renditions of fan-favourite Bruxelles ma ville echoed across an uncharacteristically sleepy Anfield, with Liverpool fans clearly missing life in the Champions League.
Despite losing the game 2-0, the Union fans maintained the passion and enthusiasm throughout the game.
After having spent decades in the lower leagues, Union Saint-Gilloise’s trip to Anfield felt like a cup final, with the fans finally having their moment in the spotlight.
During the game, a Moris fumble gave Liverpool the lead just before halftime, a shame for the Union keeper after having made some impressive saves during the game to keep Liverpool at bay.
In stoppage time of the second half, Diogo Jota found himself through on goal, beating Moris and finishing off a valiant Union to make it 2-0.
Union supporter at Anfield. Credit: Belga / Virginie Lefour
The game was also marked by two Argentine brothers on either side of the pitch, with Kevin and Alexis Mac Allister playing for Union and Liverpool respectively. The two brothers were interviewed together for TNT Sports, with Alexis saying: "My dad was here but I’m sure all my family was watching on the television. I guess he cried a little bit."
After the game, social media was awash with Liverpool fans singing the praises of the away faithful, some even wanting to recreate the type of tifo exhibited by the Unionists.
It was also noticed by the British press, with the Guardian writing during the game: "Union’s fans continue to dominate the soundtrack at an otherwise silent Anfield, while The Times' Henry Winter said: "Nothing could silence the choirs of yellow and blue…Union’s marvellous, bouncing, singing fans.”
Union are now in third place in their group on 1 point, behind Toulouse and Liverpool with 4 and 6 points respectively. They play bottom of the group LASK in Brussels on 26 October.
