. The Reds led twice in the Netherlands before conceding twice at the end of the first half in their final game.
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However, Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Atalanta meant Arne Slot’s side finished top on 21 points, two ahead of the Lia Liga giants.
Liverpool took the lead courtesy of Cody Gakpo’s penalty. Johan Bakayoko equalised for the home side before Harvey Elliott restored the Reds’ lead.
But goals by Ismael Saibari and Ricardo Pepi condemned the Premier League leaders to their first defeat in Europe this season. The visitors ended the game with 10 men after substitute Amara Nallo was shown a straight red card for an 87th-minute foul on Bakayoko.
Liverpool will face one of Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco or Brest in March in the Champions League last 16 in March.
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After the game, Arne Slot spoke to the media.
“Like expected I think, eventful game with many goals. I think everybody expected that before the game, for two reasons maybe. One of the reasons I think [is] two managers who always want to press high, want to bring the ball out from the back.
“So sometimes you see then certain mistakes – but it’s always eventful. And for the other reason because both teams, maybe mainly ours, were not playing in the set-up that we usually do, so then you see in some moments that we defend in a way that probably is not expected if we play with all of our starters.
“But still in the end we were able to definitely make a game out of it, especially with all these youngsters on the pitch. So, ‘eventful’ would be my word to …
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