Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson was delighted to avoid the “carnage” unfolding elsewhere as his side finished top of the Champions League table despite a 3-2 defeat at PSV Eindhoven tonight.
Arne Slot’s men led twice though a Cody Gakpo penalty against his former club and a Harvey Elliott goal but PSV hit back both times via Johan Bakayoko and Ismael Saibari before Ricardo Pepi grabbed what turned out to be the winner in first-half stoppage time.
The Merseysiders finished with 10 men after Amara Nallo was sent off for a foul on Bakayoko with three minutes remaining.
Our final #UCL league phase game ends in defeat. pic.twitter.com/K26ibM8gGg
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 29, 2025
It meant Liverpool’s 100 per cent record came to an end but that was arguably outweighed by the fact Slot was able to give a number of the club’s young players some European experience.
Robertson told TNT Sports: “We can take a lot of positives from tonight and it was a chance to give the young lads a chance.
“We got our noses in front at 2-1 and then were a bit naive, which usually doesn’t happen. We tried to push when we fell behind but it just didn’t happen. Results went our way elsewhere so we finish top and that’s what we wanted at the start of the season.”
Youngsters impress despite defeat
Veteran Scotland defender Robertson was impressed with how an inexperienced Liverpool side performed at the Philips Stadion, adding: “They were really good. [James] McConnell was great in midfield and driving forward. Big [Jayden] Danns was great up top and held up the ball really well.
“We also had experienced players getting a chance, Federico [Chiesa] was really good and got the 90 minutes he needed.”
It was a frantic night of Champions League football with most sides having something to play for and Robertson was happy for the drama to play out elsewhere.
He said: “Tonight looked like carnage, the league table was all over the place, so I’m glad our place was settled.
“All the games on one night created excitement. We know whatever format it was, our aim is always to get to the last 16 and then we see if we can go further.
“I’m just glad we don’t have a play-off and we’re in the automatic eight. There will always be tough games so let’s see who we face once they fight it out in the play-offs.”
Liverpool will play one of Paris St-Germain, Benfica, Monaco or Brest in the last 16.
