Liverpool Finish Top Despite Defeat to PSV | OneFootball

PSV 3 – 2 Liverpool – The CL Postmortem

The atmosphere at the Philips Stadium was vibrant and expectant for an exciting encounter as the six-time European champions, Liverpool, arrived to close out the initial stage of this revamped Champions League campaign.

Below is how the team lined up, with match details following.

The Starting Eleven

GK – Caoimhin Kelleher

RB – Conor Bradley

RCB – Jarell Quansah

LCB – Andy Robertson

LB – Kostas Tsimikas

CM – Wataru Endo

ACM – Harvey Elliott

CM – James McConnell

RF – Federico Chiesa

CF – Jayden Danns

LF – Cody Gakpo

Subs

Tyler Morton – Cody Gakpo (50 mins)

Trey Nyoni – Andy Robertson (64 mins)

Amara Nallo – Jayden Danns (83 mins)

Goals (Assisted by)

PSV 0 – 1 Liverpool

Cody Gakpo (Penalty) – 28 mins

PSV 1 – 1 Liverpool

Johan Bakayoko (Ricardo Pepi) – 35 mins

PSV 1 – 2 Liverpool

Harvey Elliott (Federico Chiesa) – 40 mins

PSV 2 – 2 Liverpool

Ismael Saibari (Joey Veerman) – 45 mins

PSV 3 – 2 Liverpool

Ricardo Pepi – 45+6 mins

Red Cards

Amara Nallo – 87 mins

Important Match Stats

Possession

PSV 53% – 47% Liverpool

Total Shots

PSV 1.32 – 1.56 Liverpool

Total Shots

PSV 12 – 9 Liverpool

Corner Kicks

PSV 8 – 2 Liverpool

Offsides

PSV 3 – 1 Liverpool

Fouls

PSV 11 – 11 Liverpool

Goalkeeper Saves

PSV 3 – 1 Liverpool

The First Half

The opening period of the game took a moment to settle as the hosts enjoyed a solid start that allowed them the majority of the possession. With a curious backline that saw Andy Robertson tasked into a central defender role, he was often unsure where to be positioned and his defensive ability was often lacking.

It would be the frenetic and relentless style of the Italy International, Federico Chiesa, who would have the first chance to open the scoring, however, his indecision on whether to assist or shoot saw the opportunity fall away. Not to be denied his contribution in the final third, a defensive misstep by PSV allowed the former Juve man to charge at the covering defender, which culminated in a foul on the 27-year-old and an immediate award of a penalty for the visitors. Cody Gakpo was the natural taker in the absence of Mohamed Salah and he dispatched his spot kick with confidence to put his side ahead.

Unfortunately for Arne Slot’s side, a combination of poor decision-making and lack of leadership in the rearguard allowed Johan Bakayoko to equalise shortly thereafter with a firm strike beyond Caoimhin Kelleher. Harvey Elliott, looking to make a startling impression, restored the Red’s lead with a well-taken goal assisted by Chiesa. The game state of Liverpool was often haphazard and indicative of the heavily rotated group. Conor Bradley failed in his duties and once more the hosts were level after an awkward strike and goal by Ismael Saibari.

Though the scores looked set to even out before the break, a late strike deep into first-half stoppage time by Ricardo Pepi condemned the Champions League leaders to another goal conceded. The half ended with Liverpool trailing by 3-2 and looking unlikely to gain anything from the encounter.

Second Half

At the start of the second half, the away side made no changes as the same team which ended the first half emerged for the next period. In a smart tactical decision, Tyler Morton was brought into the fray to relieve and protect Cody Gakpo for the weekend visit to Bournemouth. A little more solidity was evident as the former Blackburn Rovers loanee made good decisions on the ball and one tremendous block to avert a fourth goal.

The next substitution allowed the Japan captain, Wataru Endo, to drop into the backline and offer more experience and leadership. Andy Robertson had endured a torrid time and his lack of awareness in a foreign role was evident throughout. As James McConnell strived to impress on the ball and Chiesa continued to work the channels, it was disappointing to see Harvey Elliott so ineffective after his goal. Jayden Danns showed willingness, however, the disorganised performance of the Reds never increased beyond mediocre.

Through the entirety of the second half, little was evident in terms of free-flowing play and a stand-out moment was the unfortunate sending off of the third alteration of the night, Amara Nallo, who failed to recognise an on-rushing attacker Bakayoko and kicked the advancing PSV after he had taken the ball away. The card was justified and the younger had endured the worst possible European debut.

The match ended with the scores still at 3-2 and the entertaining encounter ended as it started, rather insignificant.

What Are My Final Thoughts…?

This contest was completely pointless to Arne Slot and his desire to leave first-team assets at home was justified by Liverpool’s final top-of-the-table league placing.

Bournemouth is all that matters.

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction;

PSV 2 – 2 Liverpool