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Liverpool vs PSV – Champions League Preview

Date: Wednesday, 26th November 2025

Venue: Anfield

Kick-off: 20:00 GMT

The humiliation at the hands of Nottingham Forest has changed everything. Liverpool returns to Anfield not with optimism, but with a bruised ego and a season hanging by a thread. The Premier League title race is gone, domestic form has collapsed, and the pressure on Arne Slot has reached a level that no one within the club could have imagined when the Dutchman won the English League crown..

Now, only the Champions League offers a genuine opportunity to salvage silverware, with the FA Cup likely to be dismissed once the battle for the top four becomes a reality. In Europe, Liverpool have looked organised, sharper, more purposeful — but Wednesday night represents a new test: can this team compartmentalise its league failures and produce the kind of performance that keeps their season alive?

This is no longer about rotation or “managing minutes.” After the embarrassment of the weekend, changes must come from principle, not preference. The message must be clear: play, fight, and deliver, or someone else will. Resting and rejuvenating assets is a luxury that cannot be taken, as the need to select those with the desire takes precedence.

PSV: Dynamic, Confident, and Ready to Punish Weakness

PSV arrive at Anfield in solid form, a stark contrast to the disjointed, confused Liverpool that wilted against Forest. Their style is aggressive, vertical, and unapologetically modern — a blend of sharp pressing, rapid transitions, and clinical wing play.

While not boasting the star power of Europe’s elite, this PSV side is balanced, hungry, and incredibly dangerous when opponents hand them space between the lines. Their midfield trio has excelled in controlling rhythm, while the wide forwards thrive on isolating defenders and exploiting broken structures — something Liverpool have offered opponents far too often this season.

Their full-backs push high, their holding midfielder screens intelligently, and their forwards run relentlessly. Against a Liverpool side that cannot win duels, cannot recover second balls, and cannot maintain compact distances, PSV will sense opportunity.

They will arrive believing, quite fairly, that they can silence Anfield.

Predicted PSV Lineup (4-3-3):

GK – Matěj Kovář

RB – Jordan Teze

CB – Olivier Boscagli

CB – Jerdy Schouten

LB – Anass Salah-Eddine

CM – Joey Veerman

CM – Mauro Júnior

ACM – Ismael Saibari

RW – Dennis Man

CF – Guus Til

LW –Ivan Perišić

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Liverpool: Rotation, Responsibility and a Response That Cannot Be Delayed

For Arne Slot, this game is as much about credibility as qualification. After seven defeats in all competitions, and the disastrous collapse against Forest, the calls for accountability are growing louder.

Rotation is not optional. It is overdue and that could extend to the head coach position in time.

Andy Robertson should return to bring leadership and intensity. Joe Gomez should start at right-back to restore balance. What happens in midfield will be most telling — Szoboszlai must return centrally, while Endo should replace the lethargy that defined the Premier League loss.

Federico Chiesa is expected to come in for his first European start, adding pace and direct threat on the flank. Hugo Ekitike, who looked sharp off the bench, may be preferred to Alexander Isak as the Swede continues to search for form and fitness.

This is a reset moment. Slot must show he can change things — and the players must show they still believe in him.

Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3):

GK – Alisson Becker

RB – Joe Gomez

CB – Ibrahima Konaté

CB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB – Andy Robertson

ACM – Dominik Szoboszlai

CM – Alexis Mac Allister

CM – Wataru Endo

RW – Mohamed Salah

CF – Hugo Ekitike

LW – Federico Chiesa

The Tactical Picture

PSV will attack Liverpool’s weaknesses: transitions, duels, and structural gaps. Slot must resist sterile possession and instead encourage verticality, tempo, and aggressive movement from the front three.

Liverpool needs intensity — not endless sideways passing that teams are set up to defend against.

They need conviction — not choreography or obvious movements that allow traps to be sprung.

They need bravery — not caution, something which has been painfully obvious this term.

Anfield at night can still shift momentum, but only if Liverpool gives the crowd something to believe in, which is a tough sell at the moment.

Player to Watch: Federico Chiesa

The Italian’s cameo against Forest was brief but bright. Direct, fearless, and desperate to prove himself, Chiesa could be the ignition spark Liverpool’s stagnant attack desperately needs. His aggression may set the tone for a side that cannot afford another passive display.

The stakes are clear. The opportunity is rare. Liverpool must respond.

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Liverpool 2 – 1 PSV

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