Liverpool’s Champions League squad revealed with 12 players absent for PSV Eindhoven clash

Liverpool have announced their squad for the final group-stage Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday evening.

The Reds have left several regular first-team players behind, traveling with a much-changed squad to the Netherlands for the final match in the opening stage. Manager Arne Slot will be without 12 senior players, as Liverpool have already secured their spot in the last 16.

Key players such as captain Virgil van Dijk, vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold, top scorer Mohamed Salah, goalkeeper Alisson Becker, defender Ibrahima Konate, midfielders Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai, and forward Luis Diaz have all been omitted from the 21-man matchday squad.

Joe Gomez, despite returning to training earlier on Tuesday, has also not traveled, while Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones are missing due to injuries.

With Liverpool already assured of finishing in the top two in the group, the team will have a different look for the match at the Philips Stadion. A point is enough for Liverpool to secure the top spot, though the difference between first and second place is minimal concerning the draw for the last 16.

The absences of many key players present an opportunity for younger talents to make an impression. Midfielders Tyler Morton, Trey Nyoni, and James McConnell, as well as striker Jayden Danns, will be joined by goalkeeper Harvey Davies, defenders Isaac Mabaya, Amara Nallo, and James Norris, midfielder Kieran Morrison, and forward Trent Kone-Doherty.

However, 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who recently became the youngest player to start a match for Liverpool in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley, is ineligible for the Champions League.

Liverpool Squad v PSV Eindhoven: Kelleher, Jaros, Davies, Bradley, Mabaya, Quansah, Nallo, Robertson, Tsimikas, Norris, Endo, McConnell, Morton, Nyoni, Elliott, Morrison, Nunez, Chiesa, Gakpo, Danns, Kone-Doherty.

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Mohamed Salah’s contract preference revealed after reaction from Liverpool teammate

Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones played a key role in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Lille, a result that helped Arne Slot’s team secure their place in the Champions League knockout stage ahead of schedule.

Earlier in the week, Curtis Jones had sparked some debate by stating that at his peak, Eden Hazard was a better player than Mohamed Salah. However, Jones quickly clarified that he would still prefer Salah as a teammate. This sentiment was exemplified 11 minutes before half-time during a chilly home match against Lille, Hazard’s former club, when Jones set up Salah for the opening goal in a previously uneventful game.

After Kostas Tsimikas dispossessed Jonathan David in Liverpool’s half, the ball was passed from Ryan Gravenberch to Jones. Seeing Salah sprinting forward, Jones delivered a perfect pass, allowing Salah to take the ball forward and finish neatly into the top corner.

Salah celebrated in his usual manner, sitting on an Anfield Road Stand advertising hoarding with arms outstretched, before being joined by Jones, who pointedly gestured to the pitch as a sign of support for his teammate amidst ongoing contract talks.

For Salah, it marked the end of a rare goal drought, having not scored in three games. The goal, his 50th in European competition for Liverpool, also brought his tally for the season to 22. However, Jones’ night ended early after he suffered a knock before half-time and did not return for the second half.

Liverpool’s dominance in the new-look Champions League group stage is evident, with this being their seventh win out of seven. While the victory over Lille is viewed as routine, it’s worth noting that Lille, who had previously beaten Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, were unbeaten since September and had proven difficult to break down.

Barcelona’s dramatic 5-4 win over Benfica means that Arne Slot’s side must still secure a result next week at PSV Eindhoven to claim top spot. Few, however, could have predicted how well Liverpool have adapted since their return to Europe’s elite competition.