Liverpool crumbled to another heavy defeat as PSV stunned Anfield with a 4-1 victory. Two second-half strikes from substitute Couhaib Driouech, plus goals from Guus Til and Ibrahima Konaté’s error, completed a damaging evening for Arne Slot’s out-of-form team.
Ivan Perišić had given PSV the lead from the penalty spot early on after a handball decision that left Virgil van Dijk protesting. Dominik Szoboszlai quickly levelled when he reacted to a spilled Cody Gakpo effort, and Liverpool briefly looked to regroup — Van Dijk even crashed a header off the crossbar — but the hosts were undone after the interval.
Guus Til slid in ahead of Milos Kerkez to restore PSV’s lead, and a separate defensive lapse allowed the Dutch side to double their advantage. Ricardo Pepi struck the post before Driouech followed up to make it 3-1, and he added a second later as sections of the crowd streamed out. The result is Liverpool’s ninth defeat in 12 matches, their worst run in more than 70 years, and piles pressure on Slot.
Player ratings:
Liverpool: Mamardashvili (5), Szoboszlai (7), Konaté (5), Van Dijk (5), Kerkez (5), Mac Allister (6), Gravenberch (6), Jones (6), Salah (5), Ekitike (6), Gakpo (6). Subs: Isak (5), Chiesa (5).
PSV: Kovář (7), Dest (7), Schouten (8), Gasiorowski (7), Salad-Eddine (8), Mauro Júnior (8), Veerman (7), Man (7), Saibari (7), Perišić (7), Til (8). Subs: Pepi (7), Driouech (9), Bajraktarević (n/a).
Player of the Match: Couhaib Driouech.
Team news:
Alisson Becker missed out through illness, so Giorgi Mamardashvili returned in goal. Hugo Ekitike started up front with Alexander Isak on the bench.
Slot: I feel support from above
Asked after the match whether he still feels backing from the club, Slot said he felt “safe” and supported by sporting director Richard Hughes and others. He acknowledged the pressure that comes with poor results and said conversations with the board leave him feeling trusted, though he had not spoken to them after this game.
Analysis: Where it is going wrong
Van Dijk’s form
Virgil van Dijk’s performances have been scrutinised amid the run of heavy defeats. The penalty incident came after he had been vocally complaining to the referee about a corner decision, and he was later booked for a late challenge. As a leader, his drop in form has visible consequences for the team.
Konaté still struggling
Ibrahima Konaté’s error that led to one of PSV’s goals was another costly mistake in a string of poor displays. Slot appears short of centre-back options: Joe Gomez has not been trusted, Giovanni Reyna is out, and transfers that might have bolstered the position did not materialise. Konaté’s ongoing struggles are undermining Liverpool’s defence.
Concerns over Kerkez
Milos Kerkez, who lost his place to Andrew Robertson before the international break, struggled against Sergiño Dest and Guus Til. He was beaten for the second PSV goal and looked short of the consistency required at Anfield.
Salah’s defensive liability
Mohamed Salah’s defensive positioning has come under criticism. When his goal output dipped, opponents began targeting his side, and for PSV’s second goal Mauro Júnior was allowed to progress untroubled as Salah offered little defensive resistance. That lack of defensive contribution is now exposed.
Isak still not up to speed
Alexander Isak came on for the last 30 minutes but could not alter the game’s momentum. His sharpness and pressing intensity remain wanting since his arrival; he has yet to produce the decisive form Liverpool need. Hugo Ekitike’s early contribution in the season has been more about energy and pressing, qualities Isak has yet to show regularly.
Match summary
– Perišić converted an early penalty to put PSV ahead.
– Szoboszlai equalised after Gakpo’s saved attempt.
– Guus Til restored PSV’s lead in the second half.
– Konaté’s mistake allowed PSV to increase their lead.
– Driouech scored twice — first from a rebound after Pepi hit the post, then added a fourth — sealing a comprehensive PSV win.
The defeat amplifies concerns about Liverpool’s league position and European prospects, and leaves Slot with significant questions to address across the squad as pressure mounts.