Liverpool's Champions League winning run tarnished by PSV upset

By SABC Sport
30th January 2025

Arne Slot has declared that Liverpool's position at the summit of the revamped Champions League table offers no guarantees for the knockout stages.

Despite finishing first, ahead of Barcelona, a much-changed Liverpool squad succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.

Liverpool had already secured a direct place in the last 16, avoiding the play-off round, after winning their first seven matches in the competition this season.

They now await one of Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco, or Brest in the first knockout round in March, determined by the upcoming play-off round draw.

"It's definitely a good achievement to end up top of this league," Slot said. "But I have said many times it's hard to judge a table after eight games, let alone with the teams playing different opponents. It doesn't tell me much; some have faced easier opponents than others, but it's always nice if there's a new format and you end up number one.

"But it doesn't give us any assurances for the next round. I see the four teams we can face, and especially one of them is definitely one you are hoping not to face if you end up first in a group like this."

The match against PSV was Liverpool's third loss of the campaign. Despite taking the lead twice through Cody Gakpo's penalty and Harvey Elliott's strike, PSV managed to score through Johan Bakayoko, Ismael Saibari, and Ricardo Pepi before halftime.

Slot left 12 senior players at home, with Darwin Nunez returning early from Holland due to illness.

Reflecting on the game, Slot remarked, "At the end, it didn't have any effect on the table of the competition and what it meant for the next round. I saw some good things, I saw goals conceded that I'd like to see us do better, but I'm sure it's the same for PSV the way they gave goals away."

Liverpool's attempt at a flawless league phase was thwarted at the Philips Stadion. PSV, with only one loss in 54 home games, capitalized on their home advantage to remain unbeaten in 11 European home matches.

The Reds' night ended on a sour note with Amara Nallo receiving a red card in his debut minutes.

Despite the loss, Liverpool finished atop their group, with Barcelona unable to overtake them after drawing with Atalanta. This result not only boosts Liverpool's confidence but also secures PSV's spot in the play-off draw, moving them up to 14th in the league table.