LIVERPOOL VS. PSV
| Wednesday, November 26th |
Champions League, League Phase | Anfield
8PM BST/3PM EST
PSV are first in the Eredivisie, but have found the Champions League somewhat more challenging: they’re currently in 18th
with five total points after four matches (Liverpool are eighth with nine points). Interestingly, both Liverpool and PSV have scored nine Champions League goals this season, though PSV have scored a whopping 41 in 13 domestic matches, conceding just 17 in the Eredivisie.
They come to Anfield with no losses in their last five matches, having won their last four domestic games and drawn at home to Olympiakos 1-1 in the Champions League. PSV did beat Liverpool the last time the two teams met, but it’s notable that this was a relatively meaningless match after Liverpool had qualified. Liverpool won five of the six other meetings, with one draw.
Ricardo Pepi is one to watch on PSV: he has been involved in five goals in his last four Champions League appearances (three goals, two assists), a span which includes his contributions against Liverpool last January. Joey Veerman is another player Liverpool will want to attend to, as he has shown himself to be crucial in the build-up: if PSV have a dangerous attack, particularly a counter-attack, his line-breaking passes are probably central to it.
Finally, for more strategic interests Yarek Gasiorowski might be one to watch, as the young central defender has been named as one the Reds might be interested in.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)
Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Jones, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Isak, Ekitiké
The last meeting with PSV was a much-changed Liverpool side, and under normal circumstances we might expect Arne Slot to rotate mid-week to prioritize the Premier League. Slot might lean towards a stronger side (pending fitness, of course) as a means to arrest the slide — Liverpool have struggled to cope when they concede, and while no match is easy Slot may prioritize finding form over resting legs.
The Liverpool boss has a problem again at right back, with both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong sidelined and/or unfit; it’s likely that Slot will go again with the combined efforts of Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones, given that he seems to lack trust in Joe Gomez. We cannot see Calvin Ramsay on Wednesday, as he is not registered with the Champions League 22-man squad. Alexis Mac Allister is a major question mark, as his form has been uneven thus far: he was a poor standout at the weekend, though had seemed to find his form against Aston Villa and Real Madrid. The likely absence of Florian Wirtz, who did not train, does create challenges for Slot in midfield.
Fans want to see Hugo Ekitiké in place of Alexander Isak, who seems to be struggling somewhat (though it’s worth noting that Isak is a player you play to finish chances, which is difficult when…not many chances are created). We could see an Ekitiké off the left in place of Cody Gakpo and alongside Isak centrally, but that hasn’t happened often thus far — and Gakpo, as a former PSV player, likely has some knowledge of the opposition. Slot will likely be balancing fitness concerns with the desire for impact substitutions, but also might well rotate more than we might want to see: Wataru Endō is certainly available, and Gomez might well come in for Ibrahima Konaté, who has himself been a mixed bag this season. We might see more youth, as well, though as I write I realize I would prefer to (once again) try to play as much of the first team as possible with an eye to finding form and rhythm.
If you can handle a small amount of positivity, it may be worth knowing that Liverpool currently have the longest streak of home wins in the Champions League group or league stages, having gone 13 straight securing three points (Arsenal is second with nine).
Stats-wise, Liverpool could hit a double 500 on Wednesday: the Reds are one away from 500 goals in European Cup/Champions League specifically, and one away from 500 goals as the home team in all European competitions.
The Managers Have Their Say
Arne Slot: “If things go well or things go bad, it’s my responsibility. We weren’t able to create enough. I tried to adjust a few things, but it didn’t work out. We were unable to score a goal. You never know in this stadium, if you score a goal, then things can work out. In a few days, we have to play in the Champions League again and then play three Premier League games in a short space. Keep your head up and work incredibly hard. We are trying every single day. It’s always helpful to have experienced and quality players. It’s not working out at this moment.”
Peter Bosz on the weekend’s league win against NAC: “We didn’t play well today. There were two things that were bad in my eyes: our way of putting pressure and possession of the ball. The pressing we changed after half an hour, but the ball possession was very poor and that is very important with us. If we are good at that, the opponent runs after the ball and that was not the case today. You win and those are important points. We are the first to play this weekend and the rest are watching that anyway.”
The Officials
Referee: Alejandro Hernández ESP Assistants: José Naranjo ESP, Diego Sánchez Rojo ESP Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera ESP VAR: Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez ESP Assistant VAR: Ivan Bebek CRO
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