The injury-prone Italian lasted the entire game and also made a couple of key contributions during an encouraging display
Liverpool lost their 100 percent record in this season's Champions League on Wednesday, but it mattered not a jot. Despite being beaten 3-2 by PSV in Eindhoven, the 10-man Reds still finished top of the table, and there was one big positive for Arne Slot: the performance of Federico Chiesa.
The injury-prone Italian not only played all 95 minutes of the game, he was also his side's best player – and by some distance. Chiesa won the penalty from which returning hero Cody Gakpo opened the scoring and, after Johan Bakayoko had drawn PSV level with a fantastic goal which showed why Liverpool have been linked with the Belgium winger, the former Juventus man unleashed a shot that Walter Benitez found too hot to handle, leaving Harvey Elliott with a simple finish.
PSV turned the game around by the break, however, with Ismael Saibari and Ricardo Pepi benefiting from some sloppy defending from Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah, before poor Amara Nallo was sent off for a professional foul just minutes after coming on to make his debut in the closing stages. However, all of the drama ultimately had no bearing on Liverpool's Champions League prospects, and they now know that they'll face either Brest, Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica in the last 16.
Below, GOAL rates all of the Reds on show at the Philips Stadion after Slot rested his key players ahead of Saturday's massive Premier League clash with Bournemouth…
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Caoimhin Kelleher (6/10):
Hard not to feel sorry for the Irishman, who was badly let down by his defence on all three goals as PSV scored from their only shots on target in the first half.
Conor Bradley (4/10):
As usual, confident in possession and a real threat going forward, but PSV's second and third goals came down his side. The presumption that he's already ready to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold is folly.
Jarell Quansah (4/10):
Along with Robertson, sent for a hotdog by Bakayoko before the winger's strike, and also at fault for PSV's third with a dreadful attempted clearance. The more he plays this season, the less he looks like a reliable option in the centre of defence.
Andy Robertson (5.5/10):
Played a couple of fantastic balls out of defence but was beaten all ends up by Bakayoko. Something will have had to have gone seriously wrong for us to see Robertson at centre-back in a meaningful match.
Kostas Tsimikas (6/10):
The best of a bad bunch at the back without being particularly impressive. Made a couple of timely interceptions in defence and also created some chances at the other end of the field.
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Wataru Endo (5.5/10):
The Japanese midfielder's passing was typically precise, but he was far too easily muscled off the ball in the build-up to Saibari's strike. Moved back into the centre of defence after Robertson's withdrawal.
James McConnell (6/10):
Showed a nice turn of pace, good feet and really put himself about, throwing himself into tackles, intercepting the ball and winning plenty of duels. But his passing was poor at times.
Harvey Elliott (6/10):
Lively enough in the first half, creating one good chance for Chiesa before later following up the winger's shot to put Liverpool back in front, but was booked for diving during a frustrating second-half showing.
AFPAttack
Federico Chiesa (7.5/10):
Liverpool's most dangerous attacker by some distance, Chiesa effectively created Liverpool's two goals with some good pressing and a fine drive. So encouraging to see the winger still running at full pelt in the dying minutes.
Jayden Danns (5.5/10):
Showed what he's capable of with one jinking run down the left wing that led to two PSV players going into the book – but he struggled to get a foothold in the game and never got a clear sight of goal on his first start.
Cody Gakpo (6/10):
Marked his return to Eindhoven with a well-taken penalty but he was actually pretty quiet – by his standards at least – before being taken off just after the interval in what was clearly a pre-planned substitution.
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Tyler Morton (5.5/10):
Came on for Gakpo early in the second half but didn't make that much of an impact.
Trey Nyoni (5/5/10):
Introduced in place of Robertson midway through the second half but struggled to get into the game.
Amara Nallo (1/10):
A nightmare for the youngster. Sent off just minutes after coming on to make his debut.
Arne Slot (6/10):
With Liverpool already assured of a top-two finish, the Dutchman decided to give the majority of his senior stars the night off – and with mixed results. There were some positives but not many fringe players made a case for more regular game time.
