PSV Spoil Liverpool’s Perfect Champions League Record To Make Play-Offs

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In a stunning Champions League game against Liverpool, Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven twice came from behind to defeat them 3-2 on Wednesday. This denied the Reds a perfect league record.

Liverpool’s first homecoming as an Anfield boss and Dutch coach Arne Slot’s first game in his native country as an Anfield manager were ruined by the persistent performance from PSV by the Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo to his young club.

With big Premier League matches in hand and a guaranteed first or second place in the new-look Champions League, Slot’s team made nine changes.

Although Gakpo started, both Dutch defenders Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah were left at home, to the cheer of both sides.

Liverpool’s Dutch forward #18 Cody Gakpo applauds the crowd as he is substituted during the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 8, football match between PSV Eindhoven (NED) and Liverpool FC (ENG) at the the Philips Stadion, in Eindhoven, on January 29, 2025. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP)

A shaky opening quarter of the first-half goal bonanza at Eindhoven on a gloomy night at the Philips Stadion gave little indication of the anticipated first-half goal gimmick.

Joey Veerman, a star player for PSV, was tasked with opening the scoring in the box, who was caught in possession and awkwardly downing Federico Chiesa for a spot-kick.

Gakpo took the spot kick, stroking it into the corner without apprehension, and not celebrating against his hometown team as several front-line penalty-takers were left out.

Johan Bakayoko, a 21-year-old smartly turned two Liverpool defenders and curled his shot into the corner, giving PSV a quick equalization.

Five minutes before half-time, however, Liverpool were back in control thanks to Walter Benitez’s brave Chiesa shot that was only parried by the forward.

On the stroke of half-time, the Dutch champions rallied and won the match with Ismael Saibari, who had a superb finish in the top corner.

Liverpool’s English defender #78 Jarell Quansah (CL) and PSV Eindhoven’s Dutch defender #04 Armando Obispo (CR) fight for the ball during the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 8, football match between PSV Eindhoven (NED) and Liverpool FC (ENG) at the Philips Stadion, in Eindhoven, on January 29, 2025. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP)

After a sensational opening half, Veerman’s low cross was bundled in by Ricardo Pepi for a 3-2 lead. Another PSV attack down the left exposed the Liverpool defence once more in injury time.

Six minutes into the second half, Slot substituted the Eindhoven-born Gakpo, who received a standing ovation from the home fans, who he warmly applauded.

Both teams appeared to take a break after the first half’s end-to-end action, with little goalmouth action coming in the first half.

On 73 minutes, Saibari should have put PSV out of sight when he was clean through on goal, but Tyler Morton’s heroic last-ditch tackle kept the Reds in the game.

Luuk De Jong, a local hero, was Saibari’s final game action, as PSV coach Peter Bosz brought in Luuk De Jong for the final period of the match.

Only four minutes after starting as a substitute, Amara Nallo, 18, was shown a straight red for a poor tackle on Bakayoko.

The young slot players’ young guns pressed hard against the Reds’ stout PSV defense, but they were unable to break through it for a famous victory.