. PSV Eindhoven secured the victory they needed to guarantee a playoff place with a rousing comeback against a youthful Liverpool side, who had debutant Amara Nallo sent off four minutes after his introduction.
Nallo’s misfortune – the 18-year-old defender looked distraught after receiving a straight red for denying Johan Bakayoko a clear goalscoring opportunity – tainted an encouraging display from Liverpool’s youngsters. But Slot’s side retained top spot in the table regardless of defeat. And, as the Liverpool head coach admitted beforehand, the final placing hardly matters when his team are guaranteed to face the 15th, 16th, 17th or 18th placed side in the last 16.
Former PSV favourite Cody Gakpo and Andy Robertson were the only players retained from Saturday’s starting lineup against Ipswich. Liverpool had earned the right to rest regulars ahead of the weekend trip to Bournemouth, a key game that Slot admitted was on his mind when planning for PSV, although Darwin Núñez was an enforced absentee after falling ill on the day of the game. His place in attack went to Jayden Danns, who became the youngest player to make his full debut for Liverpool in a European Cup/Champions League fixture aged 19 years and 13 days.
It is testament to the work being done from academy to senior level at Liverpool that Slot’s makeshift, youthful side were still recognisable in style. Danns and James McConnell both impressed in a rollercoaster of a first half although it was an old head in the centre of defence who influenced the visitors’ assured start. Robertson took Virgil van Dijk’s position and captain’s armband for the night. He must have taken distribution tips from Van Dijk too as he dropped a series of pinpoint deliveries behind the PSV defence.
Conor Bradley and Gakpo both almost capitalised on long Robertson …
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