PSV 3 – 2 Liverpool: UEFA Champions League Man of the Match

Federico Chiesa

In facing off against a side that tops of the Dutch Eredivisie and needed a win to enhance their chances of advancing, this heavily rotated Liverpool side was always going to find it difficult to stay organized and competitive. The talented attacker from Italy, Federico Chiesa, was finally given a starting birth and this was an encounter designed to give a platform for the former Juve man to show his manager that he was ready to fully contribute to the Reds assault on glory.

Within a lung-busting first half, the 27-year-old was ferocious in his efforts and never let his markers have a moment to rest. The opening goal was a penalty well converted by Cody Gakpo, however, the spot kick was won by the desire of his Italian teammate, Chiesa, who was fouled after refusing to give the defender time to clear his lines. With the game state shifting from end to end, Harvey Elliott was able to capitalize and score the Reds second, which was assisted well by Federico.

When the fanbase considers the lack of real summer business, the £10m outlay that was made to secure the services of the former Fiorentina man must now be viewed as an astute business. With a remit to build the fallen superstar slowly and methodically, this second half of the season may well be undertaken with a fully fit and fresh Italy forward who was once expected to become a Ballon d’Or contender. Though the number 14 may not reach those world-class levels again, what he can become is a hero on Merseyside and help bring a plethora of silverware to Anfield.

This match was a mixture of novice and fringe assets, yet this game’s man of the match played it like it was a World Cup final. With a limitless tank of desire, Chiesa may well force his way into the first-team elite in the coming weeks, as he shows both versatility and heart to make his rare appearances on the pitch count. Arne Slot would have surely been delighted by the showing of his enigmatic attacker and with question marks continually surrounding the fitness of Diogo Jota and the form of Darwin Núñez, the time of a famous Italian may well be on the Liverpool horizon.

Next up Bournemouth, where the stand-out player in this game may now become the most popular option from the weekend bench.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction;

PSV 2 – 2 Liverpool