DUTCH CHAMPIONS PSV Eindhoven twice came from behind on Wednesday to beat Liverpool 3-2 in a spectacular Champions League match, denying the Reds a perfect record in the league phase.
The dogged performance from PSV marred the homecoming of Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo to his boyhood club and Dutch coach Arne Slot’s first match in his home country as Anfield boss.
With big Premier League games to come and first or second place already assured in the new-look Champions League, Slot’s team featured no fewer than nine changes.
Star names like Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah were left at home, but Gakpo started, to the joy of both sets of supporters.
On a damp night at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven, a scrappy opening quarter gave little hint to the first-half goal bonanza that was in store.
The visitors opened the scoring, with PSV star midfielder Joey Veerman caught in possession in the box and clumsily bringing down Federico Chiesa for a clear penalty.
With several front-line penalty-takers left out, it was Gakpo who took the spot kick, stroking it calmly into the corner and not celebrating against his hometown club.
PSV levelled quickly via a sharp effort from Belgium international forward Johan Bakayoko, the 21-year-old smartly turning two Liverpool defenders and curling his shot into the corner.
Liverpool were ahead again after only a few minutes, however, as Walter Benitez could only parry a fierce Chiesa shot into the path of Harvey Elliott for a tap-in five minutes before half-time.
The Dutch champions refused to lie down and equalised again on the stroke of half-time, Veerman playing in Ismael Saibari, who finished clinically in the top corner.
Another PSV attack down the left exposed the Liverpool defence again in injury time, Veerman’s low cross bundled in by Ricardo Pepi for a 3-2 lead after a sensational first half.
Slot substituted the Eindhoven-born Gakpo six minutes into the second half to a standing ovation from the home fans, whom he applauded warmly.
After the end-to-end action in the first half, both teams seemed to take somewhat of a breather early in the second period, with little goalmouth action.
Saibari should have put PSV out of sight on 73 minutes when clean through on goal but a heroic last-ditch tackle from Tyler Morton kept the Reds in the game.
It was Saibari’s last action of the game as PSV coach Peter Bosz brought on local hero Luuk De Jong for the last phase of the match.
Liverpool’s task was made even harder when 18-year-old Amara Nallo was shown a straight red for a mistimed tackle on Bakayoko only four minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Slot’s young guns pressed strongly but could not find a way through the stout PSV defence as the hosts earned a famous win, the club’s first-ever victory against the Reds.
Despite the loss, Liverpool finished top of the Champions League standings. PSV will have to make their way through the play-offs.
Ffs if Roy does a shit the press are asking Martin what kind of toilet paper is he using
Word of the day is “wedge” media trying to drive it between Ireland management team and goverment trying to give us the short end of it regarding irish water costs!
The media is bloody ridiculous, it’s gotten out of hand. This is some TMZ level nonsense.
Whether it’s a media thing or not, O’ Neill must have a pain in his arse answering questions about Keane
Who care ffs !! Write about something else will ya
Dear Journal,
Eagerly awaiting ma Roy Keane Press blackout.
Regards,
Don Juan.
Get rid of Keane he’s bad news
Wonder what Villa make of all this…………..
He hadn’t read them cos he’s sick of him! Get rid of him Martin
There were no “controversial remarks” – just another pathetic attempt by the media to create a rift in the Irish managerial setup.
The definition of a controversy is a ‘prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion’.
Regardless of whether you agree with Keane or not, his comments have clearly caused heated discussion, hence they’re controversial.
Absolute nonsense, this is the perfect example of a manufactured “controversy” and a continuation of the media “frenzy” surrounding the non-story “assault” at the team hotel before the Scotland game. Keane can’t move without the media blowing everything out of proportion. They know his name sells papers and doubly so if there is even the slightest hint of him getting annoyed. And can you blame him for asking “Who the hell do you think you are?” with the likes of this clickbait gibberish?
At what stage in the future will the Keane brigade start shouting about O’Neill not having a clue and telling us it’s time Roy took over. His consent forays into the headlines are tiresome and should do everyone a favour and go back to ITV. His time is nearly up at Villa anyway but I’m sure Lambert will get the blame there.
I thought the British media were bad. Our own lot are no better……These so called stories are non stories. Wouldnt be surprised if O’Neill walked away altogether.
Roy shocks the docile sheep by having a opinion and a pair of balls,!!!
It’s a perfect blend. Keane can go out and say what o Neill wants to say but can’t incase he offends. Great tactics.
I’d prefer our management team to be more concerned about tactics on the pitch – that Scotland side are no better than us man for man, but looked a much better side
Missed what keane said about grealish/grealish’s dad?
g shh hhh GB kk