PSV and Liverpool have already secured their place in the Champions League knockout rounds, but both teams are aiming to finish their league phase on a high note.
By Graham Ruthven
Mission accomplished
On a night that promises chaos across 18 simultaneous matches to conclude the league phase of this season’s Champions League, this game doesn’t have so much riding on it.
Liverpool arrive in Eindhoven at the top of the 32-team table having won seven out of seven so far while PSV have already secured their place in the knockout rounds. For both teams, the hard work has already been done.
Nonetheless, Wednesday’s encounter at the Philips Stadium promises to be an entertaining one between two sides that like to attack – both teams are the current top scorers in their respective domestic leagues.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool are widely considered the strongest team in English, and European, football right now, but the former Feyenoord boss has won just one of his previous seven matches against PSV.
Of course, this will have little bearing now that Slot is at the helm of a different team, but Liverpool will have to improve on a stodgy performance in their last Champions League outing against Lille.
While a top eight finish might be beyond PSV, a positive result in their final league phase fixture could see them secure a seeded position for the first round of the knockouts.
Key players
Ricardo Pepi is PSV’s top scorer this season and increased his tally to 11 goals by finding the back of the net in the weekend win over NAC Breda.
However, Pepi is likely to start on the bench with Luuk de Jong favoured as Peter Bosz’s first-choice number nine. Johan Bakayoko and Noa Lang will also provide goal threat from the wide areas.
Jerdy Schouten and Joey Veerman will have their work cut out to disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm in central midfield. Indeed, the Reds are expected to field a formidable midfield unit including Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.
Darwin Núñez is in line for another start at the head of Liverpool’s forward line even though the Uruguayan striker has only scored once in seven Champions League appearances this season.
Naturally, Mohamed Salah will be Liverpool’s biggest goal threat having registered 23 strikes in all competitions this season. Cody Gakpo is also in good goal-scoring form and is fresh from bagging a brace against Ipswich Town.
Team news
After seeing red against Crvena Zvedza, the wonderfully named Ryan Flamingo will miss Wednesday’s match through suspension while Sergino Dest remains a long-term absentee through injury. This leaves PSV short of options at right back.
Malik Tillman similarly would have missed the match against Liverpool through suspension, but the USA international is currently injured anyway. Adam Nagolo is also a doubt for the Eredivisie table-toppers.
Curtis Jones could be sidelined after being forced off against Lille last week with Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez still not ready to return to action. Otherwise, Slot has a full squad to choose from.
Prediction
As the current league leaders, and top scorers in the Netherlands, PSV should get on the scoresheet, but they might not be the side to halt Liverpool’s perfect record in the Champions League this season: PSV 1-3 Liverpool.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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