PSV Stun Liverpool in Five-Goal Thriller to Reach Champions League Play-Offs

PSV Eindhoven delivered a thrilling performance to hand Liverpool their first defeat of this season’s UEFA Champions League, securing their spot in the play-offs with a 3-2 victory. The Eredivisie leaders edged an action-packed contest in Eindhoven, marking their progression beyond the group stage for the first time in successive seasons since a run of three from 2004-05 to 2006-07.

The game saw an electrifying first half, with five goals scored in a frantic 45 minutes. Liverpool took the lead through Cody Gakpo’s penalty, but PSV responded swiftly as Ismael Saibari netted an equalizer. Harvey Elliott then restored Liverpool’s advantage, only for Johan Bakayoko and Ricardo Pepi to strike in quick succession and turn the game in PSV’s favor.

Despite playing with ten men after young defender Nallo received a straight red card on his full debut, Liverpool pressed for an equalizer. Arne Slot’s side finished the match with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.64 to PSV’s 1.34, but they could not find the all-important third goal. However, the defeat did not impact Liverpool’s standing in the competition, as they finished atop the league phase following Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Atalanta.

PSV's Impressive European Run Continues

PSV’s 16 goals in this season’s Champions League campaign mark their best tally since 1975-76, when they scored 20 in the European Cup. Their ability to deliver on the biggest stage was evident once again, and they will look to carry this momentum into the knockout rounds.

This match also added to Liverpool’s peculiar record of chaotic first halves in the Champions League. It was the third time they had both scored and conceded two or more goals in the first half of a game in the competition, following similar encounters against Atlético Madrid in 2021 and Real Madrid in 2023. For PSV, this was their second such experience, with the first coming against Rostov in 2016.

With the league phase now complete, PSV and Liverpool turn their attention to the knockouts, where more Champions League drama awaits.