Liverpool suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat as PSV Eindhoven swept into Anfield and handed Arne Slot’s side a damaging evening. Two second-half goals from substitute Couhaib Driouech, plus a strike from Guus Til and an error by Ibrahima Konaté, completed a clinical comeback after an early penalty put PSV ahead.
Ivan Perišić dispatched a penalty early on after a handball decision that left Virgil van Dijk protesting. Dominik Szoboszlai levelled when he reacted quickest to a spilled Cody Gakpo effort, and Liverpool briefly threatened to seize control — Van Dijk even saw a header crash back off the crossbar — but the hosts collapsed after the interval.
Guus Til slid in ahead of Milos Kerkez to restore PSV’s lead shortly after half-time. A separate defensive lapse then allowed PSV to extend their advantage before Ricardo Pepi struck the post; Driouech followed up to make it 3-1 and added a second soon after as pockets of the crowd began to leave. The result is Liverpool’s ninth loss in 12 matches, their worst run in more than 70 years, and it intensifies the pressure on Slot.
Player ratings (subjective):
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 with illness, so Giorgi Mamardashvili returned between the posts. Hugo Ekitike started up front while Alexander Isak began on the bench.
What Slot said
Asked afterwards whether he still felt the board’s backing, Slot said he felt safe and supported by sporting director Richard Hughes and others, acknowledging the unavoidable pressure when results go badly but insisting he remains trusted by club leadership.
Tactical and personnel analysis
– Van Dijk’s form: Virgil van Dijk’s recent performances have come under scrutiny. His involvement in the early penalty incident, visible protests and a later booking underline a dip in influence that is being keenly felt at the back.
– Konaté still struggling: Konaté’s mistake that led to PSV’s third goal was another costly error in a worrying run. With limited centre-back alternatives and transfer plans not strengthening the position, Konaté’s inconsistency is exposing Liverpool defensively.
– Concerns over Kerkez: Milos Kerkez, who had lost his spot to Andrew Robertson before the international break, struggled defensively against the threat of Sergiño Dest and Guus Til and was penalised for the play that led to PSV’s second goal.
– Salah’s defensive liability: Mohamed Salah’s defensive tracking has again been questioned. As his goals have become less frequent, opponents have targeted his flank; Mauro Júnior’s untroubled progression for one goal illustrated the growing problem.
– Isak not yet at full speed: Alexander Isak’s late appearance failed to shift momentum. His sharpness, pressing and link-up play remain inconsistent since joining, and he has yet to provide the decisive impact Liverpool need.
Match summary
– Early penalty: Perišić converted after a handball call to make it 1-0 for PSV.
– Quick reply: Szoboszlai pounced on a spilled Gakpo shot to level.
– Second-half swing: Guus Til restored PSV’s lead with a well-timed slide.
– Defensive lapse: Konaté’s error allowed PSV to push further ahead.
– Driouech double: After Pepi struck the post, Driouech followed up to make it 3-1 and later added a fourth, sealing the victory.
Consequences
The scale of the defeat increases concerns about Liverpool’s domestic standing and European hopes and leaves Slot with pressing selection and tactical decisions to make. Confidence is fragile across the squad and questions over personnel, defensive organisation and attacking cohesion now demand urgent answers.