Liverpool will face PSV Eindhoven in the last Champions League league-phase game of the season on Wednesday at Phillips Stadion. The Reds are currently at the top of the Champions League table, having already qualified for the round of 16.
The game against PSV is also a homecoming for in-form left-wing Cody Gakpo who joined the Reds in January 2023. Gakpo has played a pivotal role for Liverpool this season under head coach Arne Slot, dominating the Champions League competition.
Slot also has a score to settle with Boeren, having faced them last season in the Eredivisie while managing Feyenoord. PSV’s dominance beat Feyenoord for last season’s Eredivisie title as they continue to maintain their superiority in the Dutch league.
PSV Eindhoven vs Liverpool: Recent Form
Eindhoven are at the top of the Eredivisie with a four-point lead over Ajax, who have a game in hand. Liverpool are at the top of the Premier League with a six-point lead over Arsenal and a game in hand.
PSV have won three out of their last five games in all competitions but showcased immense weakness in their defence. Since drawing AZ Alkmaar 2-2, PSV defeated Excelsior in the KNVB Cup, Crvena Zvezda 2-3 in the Champions League and recently defeated NAC Breda 3-2 in the last Eredivisie game.
However, the Eindhoven giant lost 3-1 to PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie clash amid those games. Meanwhile, Liverpool recovered their form after stumbling at the start of 2025, securing four victories in the last five games.
One of those five games involved a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest despite the Reds dominating the match completely. Despite registering seven victories out of seven games in the Champions League and having played some serious competition, the fans strongly want the team to finish the group stage. Slot would demand nothing less either, even if he deploys a very changed side to keep the first-team players fit.
PSV Eindhoven vs Liverpool: Predicted Eleven
PSV manager Peter Bosz will select the team without the availability of Ryan Flamingo who received a red card against Red Star Belgrade. Furthermore, Malik Tilman and Adamo Nagalo are both out with injuries along with long absentees Couhaib Driouech and Sergino Dest.
Ivan Perisic remains unavailable for selection as PSV signed him after submitting the Champions League squad list to UEFA.
PSV’s predicted starting XI- Benitez; Ledezma, Obispo, Boscagli, Mauro Junior; Schouten, Veerman; Bakayoko, Til, Lang, De Jong
Meanwhile, Liverpool will make several changes as they face in-form Bournemouth in the Premier League next weekend. Nevertheless, Slot would demand a victory from the players he will field on Wednesday against the Dutch champions. Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez are the three players who are unavailable due to injuries.
Caoimhin Kelleher could replace Alisson Becker as the goalkeeper to allow rest to the Brazilian who has struggled with injuries in recent years. Conor Bradley will replace Trent Alexander-Arnold while Wataru Endo and Jarell Quansah will take the centre-back position.
Slot could use Kostas Tsimikas ahead of Andy Robertson who played against Ipswich Town in the weekend. Tyler Morton could start alongside James McConnell and Harvey Elliot with Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister rested.
This is a potential game for Federico Chiesa to get his first start over Mohamed Salah, alongside Darwin Nunez. Gakpo will play ahead of Luis Diaz with the Colombian rested, as he received a 68th-minute substitution in Liverpool’s last 4-1 victory over Ipswich.
Liverpool’s predicted starting XI- Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Endo, Robertson; Morton, Szoboszlai, Elliott; Chiesa, Nunez, Gakpo
PSV Eindhoven vs Liverpool: Predicted Scoreline
Both teams have immense attacking ability but they have struggled during the defensive phases in recent months. Liverpool could edge the game 1-2 to finish their Champions League League-phase campaign by securing eight victories in eight games.
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