PSV fought from behind to defeat Liverpool in a five-goal thriller at the Philips Stadion on Wednesday night.
Arne Slot returned to the Netherlands for the first time since his move from Feyenoord last summer and fell to a defeat in the Champions League for the second time this season – however the Reds still topped the UEFA Champions League table as a result of Barcelona’s draw with Atalanta.
Cody Gakpo gave the visitors the lead from 12 yards but PSV struck back through Johan Bakayoko after a FIFA Street type finish. Harvey Elliot regained Liverpool’s advantage but two quickfire goals from the hosts enabled PSV to lead at the break, which they held onto until the final whistle.
It was a night to forget for a certain youngster though as Liverpool were reduced to ten men, with Amara Nello receiving a straight red card with less than ten minutes left to play.
As it happened
Arne Slot’s team selection shocked a few to say the least. Federico Chiesa earned his second start in a Liverpool shirt, while three academy players were named in the starting lineup.
Under the lights in the Netherlands, the scene was set for an intense game, and fans were given exactly that in the first 45 minutes. Chiesa was first to test Walter Benitez with a long-range strike fizzed into the hands of the Argentine goalkeeper and every couple of minutes, Liverpool continued to drive towards goal in their quest of gaining an advantage but struggled to find the final touch they needed.
Joey Veerman’s set-piece had Caoimhin Kelleher second-guessing and PSV fans on the edge of their seats but his strike, narrowly, sailed over the bar.
Referee Tobias Stieler had no choice but to point to the spot after Joey Veerman’s challenge caught Chiesa inside the area. It was Cody Gakpo who struck the ball home from 12 yards, comfortably the bottom corner to give Slot’s side the lead after 28 minutes, but his celebrations were muted as a former PSV player.
Embed from Getty ImagesWednesday’s hosts were level seven minutes later due to some individual brilliance from Johan Bakayoko; his fake shot left Andy Roberston and Jarell Quansah on the floor and all they could do was watch as the Belgian’s strike flew into the far corner – with Kelleher rooted to the spot, it was just the third goal Liverpool have conceded in the competition.
PSV’s momentum was short lived however, as Chiesa’s effort forced an athletic save from Benetez but to the annoyance of the goalkeeper, he palmed the save right into the path of Harvey Elliot who tapped home from close-range.
In the space of five minutes, Peter Bosz’s side found the net twice and went into half-time with the advantage. The hosts were even when Ismael Salibari scored from an acute angle and moments later Mauro Junior’s cross glanced off the foot of Ricardo Pepi.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter the interval, the tempo had dipped. PSV were looking to advance through their first goalscorer, Bakayoko, but struggled to create any clear-cut chances to extend their lead.
Saibari looked to be through on goal in the 74th minute, but a fantastic sliding challenge from academy graduate Tyler Morton helped Liverpool stay in the fixture.
Slot’s side continued to search for an equaliser but things changed from bad to worse when 18-year-old Amara Nallo received a straight red card when he hacked down Bakayoko, who was through on goal.
A unique save from Kelleher allowed the score to stay at 3-2, and despite the Reds‘ best efforts to get back into the game, PSV had done enough to seal the three points.
Despite Liverpool losing the game, they remain at the top of the table and will receive a favourable draw in the round-of-16. Meanwhile, PSV sit 14th in the league and will learn of their play-off opponents in Friday’s draw.
The lineups
PSV: Benitez; Karsdorp, Obispo, Boscagli, Junior, Bakayoko, Land, Veerman, Salibari, Til, Pepi.
LIV: Kelleher; Endo, Chiesa, Gakpo, Elliot, Tsimikas, Robertson, McConnell, Danns, Quansah, Bradley.