Liverpool suffered a first loss in the new-look league phase of the UEFA Champions League after going down 3-2 away to Dutch Eredivisie outfit, PSV Eindhoven, on Wednesday.
Reds boss, Arne Slot, fielded a second-string side having already secured a top-eight spot last week. It didn’t stop the Premier League leaders from taking the lead through a Cody Gakpo penalty in his home city against his former club after Joey Veerman fouled Federico Chiesa.
Johan Bakayoko equalised for the home side after a lovely turn and finish, before Harvey Elliott restored Liverpool’s lead after Chiesa’s attempt had been parried onto his path.
PSV were relentless in their pursuit of the leveller and goals by Ismael Saibari and Ricardo Pepi before half-time was all they needed to condem the six-time champions to their first defeat in Europe this season.
Liverpool finished the match with 10 men after substitute Amara Nallo was shown a straight red card for an 87th minute foul on Bakayoko.
Despite the loss, Arne Slot’s team still finished top on 21 points following Barcelona’s failure to beat Atalanta.
Liverpool’s last-16 opponents will be the winners of a play-off involving Paris St-Germain, SL Benfica, AS Monaco and Stade Brestois.