Liverpool's Shocking Collapse Against PSV Eindhoven Puts Slot Under Intense Fire - Player Ratings Revealed

Liverpool's troubles deepened significantly on Wednesday as they suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in Champions League action.

The Reds arrived at this encounter having dropped eight of their last 11 matches and following a humbling loss to Nottingham Forest at the weekend—they quickly fell behind again when Ivan Perišić converted from twelve yards after Virgil van Dijk's handball infringement.

Dominik Szoboszlai's leveler helped Liverpool recover from their sluggish beginning, but defensive frailties emerged once more after halftime as Guus Til finished off a flowing attack to heap additional pressure on the struggling side.

For the third consecutive game, Liverpool allowed a third goal when Couhaib Driouech's strike sent the team deeper into turmoil. The replacement striker added his second in added time to ensure the hosts faced jeers from their supporters at the final whistle.

Liverpool Player Ratings vs. PSV (4-2-3-1)

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili—5.1: Stepped in for the absent Alisson, who missed out due to sickness, and mainly found himself retrieving the ball from his net during the opening period. Could do nothing to stop PSV's trio of second-half strikes as poor defensive work left him stranded.

RB: Curtis Jones—5.7: Switched positions with Dominik Szoboszlai after the Forest disaster and failed to impress in this unnatural role. Almost gifted the opposition a goal early in the second period with an absurd wayward pass in his own penalty area.

CB: Ibrahima Konaté—5.5: A catastrophic error led to PSV's third goal as his reputation continues its steep decline. A move to Real Madrid? More likely Real Oviedo at this stage.

CB: Virgil van Dijk—6.7: Gave away the early penalty with an unnecessary raised hand at a PSV set piece and received a yellow card for a reckless challenge after the equalizer. Another concerning performance from the captain, who continues to face mounting criticism.

LB: Milos Kerkez—6.4: Remains shaky and unreliable defensively, with his tendency to rush around the field constantly creating vulnerabilities down his side. Still far from the standard required.

DM: Ryan Gravenberch—6.4: Provided minimal cover for Liverpool's defensive line as doubts about his ability as a top-level holding midfielder become more apparent.

DM: Alexis Mac Allister—6.8: Contributed to several attacking moves in the first half but disappeared after the interval as the Reds fell apart spectacularly.

AM: Dominik Szoboszlai—8.8: Rightfully found the net as he maintains his excellent standards despite Liverpool's struggles. Another energetic and outstanding display where he surpassed all his colleagues once more.

RW: Mohamed Salah—6.8: Another worryingly subdued showing that saw him repeatedly lose possession to PSV while trying to create opportunities. Once again a pale imitation of his peak form.

ST: Hugo Ekitiké—6.8: Clearly Liverpool's most dangerous attacking option in the first half as he moved around the box with speed and intent. Concerningly substituted around the hour due to injury.

LW: Cody Gakpo—7.4: Set up the equalizer with his powerful effort and provided energy during the opening period, but contributed little after halftime and squandered a golden chance from close range.

Subs not used: Freddie Woodman (GK), Kornel Miściur (GK), Andy Robertson, Joe Gomez, Trey Nyoni. Wataru Endo Rio Ngumoha.

PSV Eindhoven (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: Matěj Kovář; Sergiño Dest, Jerdy Schouten, Yarek Gasiorowski, Anass Salah-Eddine; Mauro Júnior, Joey Veerman; Dennis Man, Ismael Saibari, Ivan Perišić; Guus Til.

Subs used: Ricardo Pepi, Couhaib Driouech, Esmir Bajraktarević.

Player of the Match: Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool 1–4 PSV: How It Developed at Anfield

In an instant, Liverpool had surrendered the first goal for the ninth occasion in their previous 12 fixtures. A fifth-minute set piece hit Van Dijk's extended arm, with the defender's appeals for a foul ignored by officials. Perišić coolly deceived Giorgi Mamardashvili to intensify the anxiety spreading throughout Anfield.

However, worries were calmed just ten minutes afterward as Liverpool's standout performer this season, Szoboszlai, slotted home the easiest of equalizers. PSV keeper Matěj Kovář parried Cody Gakpo's shot straight to the Hungarian, enabling him to roll into an empty net.

Yarek Gasiorowski's offside strike served as another warning to Liverpool, while the dismissal of a clear penalty claim following contact on Hugo Ekitiké added to home fans' frustration during an eventful opening twenty minutes.

The equalizer shifted momentum toward Liverpool and numerous opportunities presented themselves before the interval. Van Dijk came close to making amends as his header hit the crossbar's underside, while the energetic Ekitiké tested Kovář's hands as the Reds urgently searched for a crucial second.

That second goal never materialized before the break and Liverpool paid the price soon after resumption as Til—previously coached by Slot in Holland—put PSV back ahead. The Dutch champions smoothly carved through the Reds, encountering minimal opposition on their way to Mamardashvili's goal, before Til converted an excellent cross from Anass Salah-Eddine.

Liverpool's confidence evaporated after conceding another careless goal and watching Gakpo waste a clear chance, with comeback hopes then crushed in the 73rd minute. A terrible defensive mistake from Ibrahima Konaté handed PSV their third as replacement Driouech scored the rebound after Ricardo Pepi's attempt hit the frame.

The Reds frantically tried to narrow the gap and saw another penalty claim rejected as Federico Chiesa went down in the box. The Italian then fired a shot narrowly wide of PSV's goal and substitute Alexander Isak forced Kovář into a diving save, but Anfield's occupants had already resigned themselves to Liverpool's destiny.

There remained time for matters to deteriorate further for the Reds, with Driouech netting a fourth in injury time to sentence Liverpool to a fresh nadir. The final whistle confirmed their ninth loss from 12 games across all tournaments and represented their poorest sequence since the early 1950s.

Additional questions await Slot as the pressure mounts to intolerable heights.

Liverpool vs. PSV Half Time Stats

Liverpool vs. PSV Full Time Stats