PSV 3-2 Liverpool: Player ratings as Reds surrender perfect European record
- Liverpool fell to defeat in their final league phase encounter against PSV
- Reds beaten 3-2 despite first-half efforts from Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott
- Liverpool still finished first in the table despite defeat
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.
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.
PSV player ratings (4-4-2)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: Walter Benitez | 7.0/10 |
RB: Rick Karsdorp | 6.5/10 |
CB: Olivier Boscagli | 7.3/10 |
CB: Armando Obispo | 7.1/10 |
LB: Mauro Junior | 7.9/10 |
RM: Johan Bakayoko | 8.4/10 |
CM: Tygo Land | 6.6/10 |
CM: Joey Veerman | 7.9/10 |
LM: Ismael Saibari | 8.2/10 |
ST: Guus Til | 7.2/10 |
ST: Ricardo Pepi | 8.4/10 |
SUB: Richard Ledezma (66' for Karsdorp) | 6.0/10 |
SUB: Luuk de Jong (76' for Pepi) | 6.4/10 |
SUB: Adamo Nagalo (76' for Obispo) | 6.3/10 |
SUB: Couhaib Driouech (76' for Saibari) | 6.3/10 |
SUB: Isaac Babadi (90+2' for Til) | N/A |
Subs not used: Joel Drommel (GK), Niek Schiks, Wessel Kuhn, Tai Abed.
Liverpool player ratings (4-2-3-1)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher | 5.3/10 |
RB: Conor Bradley | 5.2/10 |
CB: Jarell Quansah | 5.9/10 |
CB: Andy Robertson | 5.6/10 |
LB: Kostas Tsimikas | 5.8/10 |
DM: James McConnell | 7.2/10 |
DM: Wataru Endo | 5.7/10 |
RM: Federico Chiesa | 7.4/10 |
AM: Harvey Elliott | 7.9/10 |
LM: Cody Gakpo | 7.4/10 |
ST: Jayden Danns | 6.0/10 |
SUB: Tyler Morton (51' for Gakpo) | 6.9/10 |
SUB: Trey Nyoni (64' for Robertson) | 6.1/10 |
SUB: Amara Nallo (83' for Danns) | N/A |
Subs not used: Harvey Davies (GK), Vitezslav Jaros (GK), Issac Mabaya, James Norris, Kieran Morrison, Trent Kone-Doherty.
Player of the match: Ricardo Pepi (PSV)
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