Man of the Match: ‘Skilled’ Liverpool Player Shines Despite Loss to PSV

PSV 3 – 2 Liverpool: UEFA Champions League Man of the Match

Federico Chiesa

Liverpool’s heavily rotated squad faced a tough challenge against PSV, who lead the Dutch Eredivisie and needed a victory to boost their chances of advancing. It was always going to be difficult for the Reds to remain organized and competitive in such a situation. Federico Chiesa, the talented Italian forward, was given a rare starting spot, and this match was seen as an opportunity for him to prove to his manager that he could play a significant role in the team’s pursuit of glory.

In a relentless first half, the 27-year-old was all over the pitch, constantly pressuring his defenders and never letting them rest. The opening goal came from a penalty taken by Cody Gakpo, though the penalty itself was earned by Chiesa, who was fouled after tirelessly pressing a defender. As the game swung back and forth, Chiesa also provided a brilliant assist for Harvey Elliott’s goal, putting Liverpool 2-0 up.

Considering the lack of major signings in the summer, the £10m spent to acquire Chiesa from Fiorentina now appears to be a smart investment. With a focus on integrating him carefully, the second half of the season could see a fully fit and rejuvenated forward, once touted as a Ballon d’Or candidate, contribute to Liverpool’s success. Even if Chiesa doesn’t reach those elite levels again, he could still become a hero at Anfield and play a key role in winning silverware.

While the match featured a mix of inexperienced and fringe players, Chiesa played with the intensity of a World Cup final. His boundless energy and determination might see him earn more first-team opportunities in the coming weeks. His versatility and passion are making his appearances count. PSV’s Arne Slot would surely have been impressed by Chiesa’s performance, and with ongoing questions about the fitness of Diogo Jota and the form of Darwin Núñez, the time for this Italian talent to shine at Liverpool could be nearing.

Next up: Bournemouth, where Chiesa could now be a popular choice for a weekend bench appearance.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction:
PSV 2 – 2 Liverpool

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In a dramatic 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, Liverpool had to fight back after an early deficit, and the key to their second-half resurgence came from an inspired double substitution. The importance of Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota‘s first touches in this match may not be fully realized until later in the season, but their impact was clear.

For now, Arne Slot will be left reflecting on several missed opportunities, as Forest goalkeeper Mats Sels was in outstanding form, denying Liverpool a crucial victory. Sels was superb, keeping out efforts from Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Jota, while Ola Aina also made a crucial clearance off the line. This resilience from Forest is exactly why they currently sit second in the league, showing their ability to withstand intense pressure from Liverpool’s attacking waves.

Though Forest may not challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title come May, their defense is proving formidable, and a top-four finish looks very attainable, especially with rivals like Chelsea and Manchester City faltering after their own 2-2 draws earlier this week. If Arne Slot truly believes those teams are still title contenders, then no ground was lost here for Liverpool.

In terms of defensive solidity, Forest certainly deserve recognition. Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo were exceptional, exemplifying why Forest have conceded only 20 goals in 21 games—matching Liverpool‘s defensive record. Only Arsenal have conceded fewer.

From the outset, Liverpool controlled the game, dominating possession against a Forest side that opted to sit back rather than press. The hosts were content to invite Liverpool forward and defend deep, but, as in their previous meeting in September, a sharp counterattack caught Liverpool off guard. Chris Wood capitalized on the hosts’ first shot on target, finding the net after just eight minutes.