The thousands packed into Anfield on a cold November night were treated to another confused mess as Liverpool lost 4-1 to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
Liverpool 1-4 PSV Eindhoven
Champions League (5) | Anfield
November 26, 2025
Goals
Perisic pen 6′
Szoboszlai 16′ (assist: Gakpo)
Til 56′
Driouech 73′
Driouech 90+1′
2 changes and another setback for Alisson
Despite the lack of fight and the obvious issue with the result at the weekend, Arne Slot made only two changes to his side from the 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.
One of those was enforced, with Alisson absent due to illness and therefore replaced by Giorgi Mamardashvili, while Hugo Ekitike came in for the abject Alexander Isak.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool's players line-up for a team group photograph before the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. Back row (L-R) : goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Hugo Ekitike, captain Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo. Front row (L-R): Alexis Mac Allister, Milos Kerkez, Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Curtis Jones took over from Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back.
A familiar start and a brief fightback
It took five minutes for Liverpool’s hopes to be dampened, with Virgil van Dijk bizarrely handling the ball in the box to concede a penalty converted by Ivan Perisic.
But 10 minutes later they were level, with Cody Gakpo attempting the familiar with a cut inside and shot with his stronger right foot – and while his effort was saved, the rebound was coolly side-footed in by Szoboszlai.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring his side first and equalising goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
PSV looked to have regained the lead just two minutes after the equaliser – again from a set-piece – but Yarek Gasiorowski was correctly ruled offside after firing in at close range.
Liverpool were then denied what appeared to be a clear penalty as Ekitike was clattered in the box, but Spanish referee Alejandro Hernandez waved away all protests.
The hosts were by far the more threatening side heading into the break and their striker was a key factor in that: constantly active, inventive and looking to test Matej Kovar and his defence whenever possible.
Half-time: Liverpool 1-1 PSV Eindhoven
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez challenges PSV Eindhoven's Dennis Man (R) during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
More of the same from directionless Liverpool
Liverpool looked to be trying to force things after the restart and the flaws in their setup with quickly exposed, with Mohamed Salah skinned on the right side and the ball played into striker Guus Til for 2-1.
To make matters worse Ekitike was forced off with an injury on the hour mark, with Isak sent on for the remainder and his side needing goals.
Szoboszlai, as ever, still stood out despite the malaise, first with a thumping effort to sting Kovar’s palms, before whipping in a cross which Gakpo somehow headed over.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté reacts to conceeding their team's secong goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Gakpo and then Ibrahima Konate were denied by brave blocks from PSV defenders, before another error from Konate at the other end handed PSV the opening to score their third through substitute Couhaib Driouech.
Off came Konate for Federico Chiesa in an entirely predictable change from Slot, who admitted before the game he was “almost confused” about his own team’s performances.
He was also keen to point out that Liverpool had won three of their previous four in the Champions League – but the reality is, with Driouech scoring another in stoppage time, Slot’s side have now lost nine of their last 12 in all competitions.
TIA Man of the Match: Dominik Szoboszlai
Referee: Alejandro Hernandez (ESP)
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate (Chiesa 76′), Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike (Isak 61′)
Subs not used: Woodman, Misciur, Gomez, Robertson, Endo, Nyoni, Ngumoha
PSV Eindhoven: Kovar; Dest, Schouten, Gasiorowski, Salah-Eddine; Mauro Junior, Veerman; Man (Bajraktarevic 88′), Saibari, Perisic (Driouech 69′); Til (Pepi 69′)
Subs not used: Olij, Smolenaars, Obispo, Flamingo, Wanner, Boadu, Sildillia, Fernandez, Nagalo
Next match: West Ham (A) – Premier League – Sunday, November 30, 2.05pm (GMT)