What Did we Learn as Liverpool Suffer Narrow Defeat to PSV?

Well, it started nice but ultimately you can be honest and say it just didn’t actually matter. Despite tasting their first defeat in the Champions League, Liverpool finish top of the group stage rankings and will now await the 15th-18th placed team that they’re drawn against eventually.

There were a few bright spots and a couple of goals, but this won’t live long in any reds memory. It was a cobbled together team, but no-one ally worried any of the starters in this one at all. We look at the lessons learned from defeat in Eindhoven

Chiesa The Bright Spark

Not only does this lad seem to love to shoot whenever he’s in range, Chiesa is as it was put quite simply a chance magnet. The penalty he won owed everything to the determination to nip in front of the PSV midfielder at the key moment and it feels harsh he doesn’t clock an assist for that.

The second goal was as a result of his brilliant half volley that the keeper parried into the path of Harvey Elliott too. From the left in the second half, the Italian looked like the only one who might really do anything and he’ll be better for these minutes. More importantly, Chiesa looked like one who could trouble the starters

Gakpo and McConnell The Other Positives

He wanted to start against his hometown club and when he buried the penalty to take the lead, it was clear Cody Gakpo wasn’t going to celebrate at all. His 15th goal of the season and yet the happiest we all were was when he came on for Tyler Morton in the 51st minute. Quicker shower and Bournemouth at the weekend.

James McConnell showed real signs of promise with his tackling, tenacity and passing range too. Outshining more senior colleagues like Endo and Elliott in the middle, the Sunderland born youngster clearly has something and you wonder if a loan is the next step for him or Slot will want to keep him around.

No Starters Were Worried

It did feel like an opportunity for the likes of Endo, Elliott, Bradley and others to show what they’re about, but it never materialised. Context is key and with a back four a midfield that don’t play together it was always going to be tough.

That being said, PSV raided down Bradley’s flank time and time again, whilst Kelleher didn’t look convincing for two of the goals. Endo got caught a number of times in midfield, whilst Robbo and Quansah got sent for the echo by Bakayoko in the first half. You can’t be too harsh, but the opportunity to impress the manager just wants taken by many in this one.