PSV 3-2 Liverpool: Player ratings as Reds surrender perfect European record

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90min

·29 January 2025

PSV 3-2 Liverpool: Player ratings as Reds surrender perfect European record

Liverpool surrendered their perfect Champions League record on Wednesday as they were beaten 3-2 by PSV Eindhoven, but still managed to finish first in the league phase table as Barcelona failed to win.

Liverpool's much-changed starting lineup made an impressive start in the Netherlands in the knowledge they had already qualified for the last 16, with former PSV star Cody Gakpo firing them ahead from the penalty spot in the 28th minute.

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Johan Bakayoko beat two Liverpool defenders with a clever chop before firing beyond Caoimhin Kelleher for the equaliser seven minutes later, but Harvey Elliott put the Reds ahead for a second time after he converted from close range following Federico Chiesa's rebuffed shot.

All hell broke loose in the dying embers of the first half, however, as PSV struck twice in six minutes to go in front. Ismael Saibari's powerful finish was followed by Ricardo Pepi's near-post effort, although the American international's touch on the ball was minimal.

The drama of the first half wasn't replicated after the break as Liverpool pushed unsuccessfully for an equaliser, with substitute Amara Nallo sent off in the 87th minute on his senior debut for the club.

However, the defeat mattered little for the Reds as Barcelona's 2-2 draw with Atalanta meant that they kept hold of top spot in the final league phase standings.