Arne Slot has decided to rest several senior Liverpool players for their final Champions League group match against PSV Eindhoven, a game that holds little significance for Liverpool as they have already secured a top seeding position. This decision allows Slot to rotate his squad and give opportunities to younger and less experienced players, with the team’s qualification for the last 16 already confirmed. The match against PSV will see the absence of key players such as Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Luis Díaz, all of whom have been regular starters throughout the competition.
The Liverpool squad for this match includes several young players, such as 18-year-old forward Trent Kone-Doherty, midfielders Isaac Mabaya and Kieran Morrison, and defender Amara Nallo. These players will travel with the squad to Eindhoven, with the opportunity to prove themselves in a competitive environment. Slot emphasized that while the focus has been on the long-term development of the squad, the team would still aim to win the game despite the lack of major stakes. He also acknowledged that the Champions League format means that finishing first or second in the group stage has little impact on Liverpool’s progression, as they are guaranteed to face a lower-seeded team in the knockout rounds.
This new format has taken some time for Slot to fully understand, but he is now confident that it will not affect Liverpool’s chances. The main goal is to maintain rhythm and get other players match fit, as Liverpool will need a full squad to contend with the demands of both domestic and European competitions in the coming months. Slot’s approach to the match against PSV reflects his broader strategy of managing the squad for the long term, balancing the need for competitive results with the development of younger players.
For PSV, the stakes are much higher. The team is still in contention to qualify for the knockout rounds, and they must secure at least a point against Liverpool to have a chance of advancing. PSV’s head coach, Peter Bosz, acknowledged that the team would be going all out to earn a result, given that their fate is still uncertain. The pressure is on PSV, as they need to perform in front of their home crowd at the Philips Stadion, where they have been nearly invincible in recent years. The team has lost only one of their last 55 home matches, a penalty shootout defeat to Feyenoord in the Dutch Super Cup.
Liverpool’s perfect record in the Champions League has been a significant financial boon for the club, with the team already earning €55.945 million in prize money. This sum will increase to €58.52 million if Liverpool wins in Eindhoven, further boosting the club’s coffers. The prize money comes from various sources, including €18.62 million for qualifying for the group stage, €2.1 million per win, €2 million for finishing in the top eight, and €11 million for reaching the last 16. Additionally, Liverpool will receive a share of UEFA’s media rights sales, further enhancing the club’s financial windfall.
One player with a personal connection to the match is Cody Gakpo, who began his career at PSV before joining Liverpool in December 2022. Although Gakpo was offered the option to stay behind in Liverpool, he expressed his desire to be part of the squad for the match against his former club. His decision highlights the emotional significance of the game for him, as he returns to face his old team in a crucial Champions League encounter.
In summary, while Liverpool’s final group match against PSV is of little consequence in terms of their progression, it offers an opportunity for rotation and the development of younger players. PSV, on the other hand, must secure a positive result to have a chance of advancing, making this a high-stakes encounter for the Dutch side.
