Much-changed Liverpool lose to PSV
PSV 3 - 2 Liverpool
A much-rotated Liverpool side secured top spot in the Champions League league phase, despite seeing their perfect record end with a 3-2 defeat to PSV Eindhoven.
Having won their first seven matches, the Reds twice took the lead in the Netherlands but were pegged back, conceding twice late in the first half of their final group fixture.
However, with Barcelona failing to beat Atalanta, Arne Slot’s side finished top of the standings on 21 points, two clear of their nearest challengers.
The first half was full of action, with Cody Gakpo putting Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot against his former club after Federico Chiesa was fouled by Joey Veerman.
Johan Bakayoko levelled with a superb turn and finish, but Harvey Elliott restored Liverpool’s advantage, reacting quickest after Chiesa’s shot was parried into his path.
However, goals from Ismael Saibari and Ricardo Pepi turned the game in PSV’s favour, handing the Premier League leaders their first European defeat of the season.
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Liverpool’s night got worse when substitute Amara Nallo was sent off in the 87th minute for a late challenge on Bakayoko, leaving the visitors to finish the match with 10 men.
With qualification for the last 16 already secured, Slot opted to rest several key players ahead of Saturday’s crucial Premier League trip to Bournemouth. Despite the defeat, this was only the Dutchman’s third loss in 35 matches in charge. Meanwhile, PSV, who top the Eredivisie, finished 14th in the 36-team table, earning a play-off spot.
Liverpool will face the winners of a play-off involving Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco, and Brest in the next round.
Premier League leaders give youngsters a chance
Liverpool’s focus now shifts back to domestic competitions, where they currently lead the Premier League and are still in contention for silverware in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, with their next European fixture not until March.
With Liverpool and Barcelona finishing first and second respectively, the two sides cannot meet again until the final.
Several senior stars, including Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, were given the night off. In their absence, 19-year-old Jayden Danns became the youngest player ever to make his first start for Liverpool in a European Cup or Champions League match.
Danns was one of four players aged 21 or younger in the starting XI, while teenagers Trey Nyoni (17) and Nallo (18) were introduced from the bench.
