Liverpool v PSV – The Champions League Preview

Date – 29th February 2025

Venue – Philips Stadium

Kick-off – 20.00

After a solid 2-1 win over Lille last midweek, the Reds travel to the home nation of their esteemed head coach, Arne Slot, where his team will close out their Champions League group stage with an encounter against Netherlands giant, PSV. The former employers of Cody Gakpo are flying in the Eredivisie and top the current league table ahead of second-placed Ajax. This game will pit two teams against one another who are thriving in their respective divisions, which should allow for an intriguing battle at the Philips Stadium. Liverpool requires just a point to secure the top stop, whereas the hosts will be looking for a home win to grab a place in the top 24 in the European standings. The entire round of games on match week eight will be contested on the same night at the same time, allowing for a fluid and ever-changing Champions League table throughout.

PSV Availability

PSV manager Peter Bosz will be without several key players: Sergiño Dest, Adamo Nagalo, Couhaib Driouech, and Malik Tillman are all missing for this encounter.

In terms of recent form, the Dutch club beat NAC 3-2 at home this past weekend, following an impressive 3-2 away victory over FK Crvena Zvezda in their last European outing, after a 3-1 defeat away to PEC Zwolle. In the Eredivisie, PSV have amassed a superb total of 49 points from 20 games played and sit proudly at the pinnacle of those standings. In the revamped Champions League group stage,

In the Champions League standings, 11 points have been taken in their six games played, with a 19th place in the table established. A top 24 placing is the aim, one that would allow progression into a playoff round.

The predicted lineup for PSV, using a 4-2-3-1 formation, is as follows:

– GK: Walter Daniel Benítez

– RB: Richard Ledezma

– RCB: Ryan Flamingo

– LCB: Olivier Boscagli

– LB: Mauro Júnior

– CM: Jerdy Schouten

– ACM: Guus Til

– CM: Joey Veerman

– RW: Johan Bakayoko

– CF: Luuk de Jong

– LW: Ivan Perišić

Liverpool Availability

Liverpool will be without Joe Gomez, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury although has returned to training, whereas Diogo Jota remains unavailable for selection. The current condition of Curtis Jones has not travelled with the squad.

In their most recent match, Liverpool secured a  4-1 at home to Ipswich after a 0-2 win away to Brentford. Those wins were undertaken on either side of the Red’s last Champions League outing beating Lille in a 2-1 win. With 7 matches played in Europe this term, Liverpool currently tops the Champions League standings with a maximum of 21 points taken from their six games played. The six-time European champions are also top of the Premier League with 53 points taken from their 22 games played.

Here is the expected lineup that Arne Slot will field for this away match against PSV. Some smart and required rotation is expected for this game, as the need to maintain freshness within the group is a must before Liverpool head to Bournemouth to undertake their next league match.

– GK: Caoimhin Kelleher

– RB: Conor Bradley

– RCB: Jarell Quansah

– LCB: Amara Nallo

– LB: Kostas Tsimikas

– CM: Wataru Endō

– ACM: Harvey Elliott

– CM: Tyler Morton

– RF: Federico Chiesa

– CF: Darwin Núñez

– LF: Cody Gakpo

How Will This Contest Play Out?

Liverpool is expected to rotate in preparation for the weekend trip south, with only a point needed to secure top spot. Federico Chiesa will surely be in line to start this game and his desire to test the opposition goal will make him a huge threat. Johan Bakayoko will be the counter-attacking threat for the hosts as his pace will be used to test the Liverpool backline, whereas the veteran winger on the opposite flank, Ivan Perišić, will be aiming to supply the ammunition for his well-known centre forward, Luuk de Jong. Within the right game, I expect a draw to prevail, however, if the Merseyside Giants start with a slighter stronger team they may well have too much power for the opposition to cope with.

Player to Watch: Federico Chiesa

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

PSV 2 – 2 Liverpool