Liverpool finished at the top of the Champions League table despite losing their perfect record in the competition following a 3-2 defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
Arne Slot’s side knew a point would be enough to finish at the summit, but Barcelona’s draw with Atalanta saw the Reds end the campaign as the top seed in the competition.
A much-changed Liverpool side took a 28th minute lead when Cody Gakpo, on his return to PSV, scored a penalty after Federico Chiesa was felled inside the box by Joey Veerman.
But the Eredivisie leaders responded in stunning fashion when Johan Bakayoko found the bottom left-hand corner following terrific play in the build-up by Ricardo Pepi.
Liverpool, however, got themselves back in front when Chiesa’s shot was parried into the path of Harvey Elliott, who finished past Walter Benitez for his second Champions League goal in as many games.
But two goals in six minutes at the end of the first-half proved decisive, as Ismael Saibari fired the ball into the roof of the net having threatened for much of the opening period.
The turnaround was complete in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time when Pepi got himself on the scoresheet with a neatly flicked finish from Mauro Junior’s cross.
Liverpool finished the game with a man less after youngster Amara Nallo, on his full Reds debut, was shown a straight red card for a foul on Bakayoko who was through on goal.
The victory for PSV lifted them up to 14th in the table, with their reward a clash against AC Milan in the play-off round to face either Arsenal or Inter.
Liverpool have been electric in this year’s Champions League, but even their perfect run in the competition came to an end, albeit with a second-string line-up.
The Reds both scored and conceded two or more goals in the first half of a Champions League game for the third time (also v Atletico Madrid in October 2021 and Real Madrid in February 2023), while PSV did so for a second time in the competition (also v Rostov in September 2016).
Gakpo also continued his fine run of form, and despite scoring against his former club, was given a standing ovation when he was replaced by Tyler Morton early in the second half.
Since the start of December, only Alexander Isak (14) and Mohamed Salah (11) have more goals in all competitions for Premier League clubs than Gakpo (eight).
The former PSV forward has been directly involved in 21 goals in his last 19 appearances at Philips Stadion in all club competitions (13 goals, eight assists).
Barcelona made sure of second place in the Champions League on Wednesday after being held to a 2-2 draw by plucky Atalanta, who failed in their mission for direct qualification for the last 16.
