How PSV Exploited Liverpool’s Defence in Their 3-2 Victory | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Dead Rubber Defeat Still Secures Top Spot in the Champions League

Sometimes, football serves up a game so devoid of consequence that even the most ardent supporters struggle to muster enthusiasm. Last night was one such occasion. For the first time in what feels like forever, I opted for a night out with friends rather than watching Liverpool live. Given that the result had no tangible impact on their Champions League fate, it was hard to justify staying in. But, ever the professional, I sat down this morning to dissect the game—albeit with a slightly heavy head. And you know what? The performances of Federico Chiesa and James McConnell made it all worthwhile.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool Rotate and Still Top Group

Liverpool fell 3-2 to PSV Eindhoven in their final fixture of the Champions League league phase, but thanks to Atalanta’s draw against Barcelona, they secured top spot regardless. The defeat carries no footballing repercussions, but from a financial perspective, finishing first brings a welcome boost in UEFA revenue distribution.

Arne Slot took the opportunity to rotate heavily, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Luis Díaz, Diogo Jota, Ryan Gravenberch, Ibrahima Konaté, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Virgil van Dijk all left at home. Darwin Núñez did make the trip but was struck down by illness, leaving Liverpool’s XI looking more like a Carabao Cup lineup than a Champions League one.

PSV, on the other hand, had everything to play for. A positive result could improve their seeding and potentially land them an easier opponent in the knockouts. That desperation gave the match a competitive edge—though as is often the case in these dead rubbers, the game lacked defensive structure, leading to an open contest filled with chances.

PSV’s Attack and Liverpool’s Lack of Cohesion

Statistically, Liverpool were a little unlucky to lose. Excluding the penalty, they generated 1.12 xG, which suggests a fairer result might have been a draw. However, PSV created slightly more shots, registered more efforts on target, and ultimately had the edge in controlling the match. Given the patchwork nature of Liverpool’s lineup, it was no great surprise.

The most dangerous player for the hosts was Ismael Saibari, whose recent form has been electric. He was the only PSV player to take multiple shots, and coming into the match, he had one goal and two assists in his last three outings.

Meanwhile, Joey Veerman was the beating heart of PSV’s midfield. His progressive passing is his strongest trait, and his ability to feed the final third was evident again last night. According to xfb Analytics’ similarity tool, Veerman’s playing style closely resembles Toni Kroos—a lofty but not entirely unfounded comparison.

PSV’s expected threat (xT) heatmap highlights their main areas of influence—predominantly down the left half-space and wing, but also in deeper areas on the right. This suggests a deliberate plan to exploit Liverpool’s makeshift backline, with the Quansah-Robertson centre-back pairing struggling to develop a solid defensive partnership.

Liverpool’s Approach and Individual Bright Spots

While PSV dominated possession and territory, Liverpool’s xT map tells a very different story. Their primary source of attacking threat came through quick transitions, counter-attacks, and moments of individual quality rather than structured build-up play. This aligns with the game state—Liverpool, without many of their key ball-retention players, were happy to absorb pressure and break forward when the opportunity arose.

Federico Chiesa’s performance was a major positive. He led the team in successful carries, alongside Jarell Quansah. The Italian’s ball progression was particularly evident on the left flank, though he also drifted right at times. Slowly but surely, he is working his way into a more prominent role within Slot’s squad—hopefully, injuries and illness won’t derail his momentum again.

Another standout was James McConnell. The young midfielder produced a relentless defensive shift, working tirelessly alongside Wataru Endo. His high defensive work rate did not go unnoticed, with Slot himself singling him out for praise post-match.

What’s Next for Liverpool in the Champions League?

Despite the loss, Liverpool’s job in the group stage is done. Finishing first means they can skip the playoff round and head straight to the last 16, where they will face one of PSG, Brest, Benfica, or Monaco. Should they advance, a quarter-final against Club Brugge, Sporting, Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Lille, or Aston Villa awaits.

Photo: IMAGO

With their European campaign set up favourably, Liverpool have a real shot at making a deep run. The rotation seen in Eindhoven will pay dividends later in the season, and if players like Chiesa and McConnell can build on performances like this, Slot will have some intriguing selection dilemmas in the months ahead.

Ultimately, while it was a forgettable match in the grand scheme of things, there were still plenty of insights to glean. And for those of us who opted for a night out instead of watching live—at least the highlights (and a strong coffee) made for enjoyable morning viewing.