Preview: PSV vs. Liverpool B
01/28/2025 05:00 PM
The Reds send their second string to duel with Arne Slot's former rivals.
PSV vs Liverpool
| Wednesday, January 29th |
Champions League | Philips Stadium
8PM BST / 3PM ET
After a dominant home win over Ipswich to fortify their position at the top of the Premier League table this weekend, Liverpool travel to Arne Slot's old stomping grounds to take on the team that pipped him to the Eredivisie title last year, as the Reds look to wrap up their Champions League group stage efforts against a PSV side with a long shot at direct qualification to the knockout rounds.
They haven't been as absurdly dominant in their domestic league as they were last year, when they set an all-time points record in the Eredivisie, but Peter Bosz's side are still top of the table again this year, and while there may only be four points between them and Ajax in second place, the 20-goal margin in goal differential between the two sides tells its own story.
Currently 19th in the Champions League, PSV would need things to go incredibly right or improbably wrong to not take part in the upcoming wildcard round, but they will undoubtedly be looking to do their job in overtaking the 11 sides separating them from direct qualification to the knockouts.
Die Boeren will have to make do without long-term injury absentee Sergiño Dest, attacking midfield superstar and bird bone construct Malik Tillman, and the suspended centre-back Ryan Flamingo, but goal guarantors Ricardo Pepi and Luuk De Jong will start, as will dribbly winger Johan Bakayoko and cultured midfielder Ismael Saibari.
Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)
Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Endo, Tsimikas; Morton, Nyoni, Elliott; Gakpo, Núñez, Chiesa
For the Reds, a host of regular starters have simply been left behind on Merseyside, as they are given the mid-week off ahead of the weekend's trip to high-flying Bournemouth, meaning a substantive squad rotation is on the cards, and a few debuts could be likely.
Alisson does not travel with the squad, so Caoimhin Kelleher will start in goal, while the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konaté suggests Jarell Quansah could be partnered with Wataru Endo in the heart of defence. Kostas Tsimikas likely features at left-back.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai are all in Liverpool, and as such, Tyler Morton should sit in the six, while Harvey Elliott does his interpretation of the ten. Trey Nyoni could plausibly start in the left-sided eight role.
Up top, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah have stayed behind, and while a start for Jayden Danns would be fun, a came is more likely, as Cody Gakpo, Darwin Núñez and Federico Chiesa form the starting front three.
What the Managers Said
Arne Slot: "Last season I watched them a bit more and they were incredible. This season they have dropped a few points more than last season but it's not that big of a difference. The football philosophy is largely the same. It's a joy to watch, always positive and eventful."
Peter Bosz: "The confidence is there, but we are going to play against a very good team, perhaps the best in Europe at the moment and therefore in the world. Liverpool are one of the clubs I try to watch when I have time, because I really like the football they play."
The Officials (GER)
Referee: Tobias Stieler
Assistant referees: Christian Gittelmann, Mark Borsch
Fourth official: Florian Badstübner
VAR: Sören Storks, Sascha Stegemann
Kickoff is set for 8PM GMT/3PM ET tomorrow, and television listings for the match can be found on LiveSoccerTV.
In the meantime, and as always, we'll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it's released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it happens.
