Liverpool badly wounded by PSV in the Champions League. Image credit: Foot Central TV via X
(The Post News)– Troubled Liverpool’s season plunged deeper into crisis. PSV Eindhoven inflicted a humiliating 4-1 defeat in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night.
Arne Slot’s side fell behind early to Ivan Perisic’s penalty, and although Dominik Szoboszlai briefly restored parity. Liverpool collapsed after the break. Second-half strikes from Guus Til and a brace from Couhaib Driouech sealed a stunning rout, leaving Anfield stunned and restless.
Liverpool’s humiliation history
The defeat marks Liverpool’s ninth loss in their last 12 matches across all competitions, a worst run since 1953-54 season. Boos rang out at full-time as pressure mounted on Slot. Slots’ team has now conceded 10 goals in three consecutive defeats, including last weekend’s 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest.
Once tipped to dominate after last season’s title triumph and a lavish summer spending spree. Liverpool now languish in 12th place in the Premier League their lowest position in over a decade. Their Champions League hopes are also in jeopardy, with the Reds sitting 13th in the league phase. It also faces the prospect of missing out on the last 16 of the Champions League knock-out stages.
Slot admitted feeling guilty over the slump. He appeared bereft of solutions as empty seats in the closing stages told their own story of disillusionment.
Fragile at Both Ends
Liverpool’s frailties were evident from the outset. Virgil van Dijk’s needless handball gifted PSV a sixth-minute penalty, converted by Perisic. Szoboszlai’s equaliser offered brief respite, but missed chances including Cody Gakpo’s glaring header proved costly.
PSV punished Liverpool’s defensive lapses ruthlessly. Til’s clinical finish on 56 minutes restored the visitors’ lead. Konate’s calamitous error allowed Pepi to strike the post, Driouech tapping in the rebound. The winger added his second in stoppage time after Dest’s unchecked run down the flank.
Liverpool now face West Ham on Sunday with morale at rock bottom and their season threatening to unravel completely.