PSV 3-2 Liverpool: Arne Slot’s side lose for the first time in this season’s Champions League after leaving big-hitters at home
- The Reds left 12 first-team stars behind, with fringe stars and youngsters playing
- They still finished top of the Champions League league phase despite the defeat
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They say you will never forget your debut. Amara Nallo certainly will not – even though he may want to.
The extremely highly-rated 18-year-old Liverpool defender, who was poached from West Ham’s academy in 2023, has been on the bench a couple of times but not had a sniff of action until the 83rd minute here in Eindhoven, when he was sent on.
Four minutes later, he was walking the other way. Trudging off with a face like thunder after being shown a red card for tugging back Johan Bakayoko when the last man back. At least we can safely make the prediction that things can only get better for the poor lad.
His time will come again. Liverpool academy observers have been wowed by his talents in the youth team – the ability to bully strikers, recovery pace, leadership skills, old-school defensive abilities and calmness on the ball.
But for Nallo, this unforgettable night turned into a moment he may want to wipe from his memory, as bizarre as that sounds. There are few words to describe the conflict of emotions he must have felt last night as he climbed into bed at the team hotel in Eindhoven.
‘It is cruel,’ said Arne Slot. ‘He has never played first-team football. To make your debut in the Champions League is the hardest way of making a debut. It is a big moment for him to learn from. Now he has to fight hard to play a second game in the Champions League.’
Liverpool’s first-team fringe players and youngsters lost for the first time in the Champions League this season
Arne Slot did not care on jot about the result and didn’t try and hide it in the build-up to the tie
Amara Nallo was sent off three minutes into his senior debut for Liverpool for a last-man trip
Nallo’s regret would have been heightened if this result had actually meant anything.
Liverpool lost 3-2 to PSV Eindhoven to ruin their potential clean sweep of wins in the Champions League but they still topped the new-look group phase.
And although they fell to defeat, there were many positives for Slot to ponder on the flight home this afternoon. Many star men rested up with 12 first-teamers left in England, rhythm into the legs of the back-up brigade and an invaluable experience for some of the Kop kids that travelled.
The Liverpool squad went on a leisurely stroll around the nondescript but elegant city of Eindhoven on Wednesday morning and the first thought when happening upon them was, ‘Oh, there’s the youth team’. In many respects, it was.
That was because this match had little jeopardy for Liverpool, even though it was rich in drama. Arend Slot, the manager’s father, last week complained Liverpool games were too boring. He was two hours north watching from his couch in Bergentheim.
The first man on the team-sheet was a PSV legend, a striker born and bred in Eindhoven and who progressed through the ranks at the Philips Stadion: Cody Gakpo. The Liverpool man converted a penalty after Federico Chiesa was fouled. No celebration out of respect.
Locals say they appreciate Gakpo more than most ex-stars and academy graduates – and there are many, the walls of this stadium are decked with memories – because he is a true son of the city.
Bakayoko equalised minutes later after a sumptuous turn to evade Andy Robertson and Jarell Quansah. Liverpool went back ahead via a Harvey Elliott rebound soon after but again could not hold the lead as Ismael Saibiri responded from a tight angle for 2-2.
Cody Gakpo, a PSV legend and academy graduate, scored the first goal and received a hero’s reception when substituted
Johan Bakayoko sold a dummy to Andy Robertson, playing at centre half, and Jarell Quansah before equalising
Harvey Elliott restored Liverpool’s lead in the first half from a rebound but let for five minutes
Ismael Saibiri responded from a tight angle for 2-2 before a Ricardo Pepi cross deflected off Conor Bradley and Robertson into the far corner
Then in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time, Peter Bosz’s home side took the lead after a Ricardo Pepi cross deflected off Conor Bradley and Robertson into the far corner.
The second half was a bit of a non-event – even if PSV boss Peter Bosz said his team were ‘totally out of order’ by show-boating late on – as the home side hung on to ruin Slot’s Holland homecoming. With a trip to Bournemouth on Saturday, the Reds boss has bigger fish to fry.
