Liverpool Vs PSV [1–4] – Champions League 2025/2026: Why Did Liverpool’s Attack Break Down? – Tactical Analysis

Liverpool hosted PSV Eindhoven in the fifth fixture of the UEFA Champions League at Anfield, and the match ended with a 1-4 loss for the Reds.

The painful loss comes to aggravate Liverpool’s already existing issues as they have been suffering locally and on a European level this season.

It is true that they retain 13th place, with three wins and two losses, and a number of points that is not catastrophic and allows them to qualify for the knockout round playoffs; however, losing a home game to PSV is worrying, given it adds to their poor run of form.

What is even more worrying is the team’s unconvincing performance and their inability to be as dangerous as needed from an attacking perspective, for various reasons.

On the other hand, PSV achieved a new milestone in their current UEFA Champions League journey, beating Napoli 6-2, confirming that they do not fear any opponent.

In this tactical analysis, our main focus will be to explore what went wrong in Liverpool’s attacking tactics and performance, assessing the wrong decisions and the situations that they could have dealt with in a better way.

Liverpool Vs PSV Formations & Lineups

Arne Slot started the match in the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal, and a defensive line comprising Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté as centre-backs, Curtis Jones at right-back, and Miloš Kerkez at left-back.

The midfield was made up of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch as central midfielders, with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah as wingers, and Dominik Szoboszlai as the advanced playmaker behind the main striker, Hugo Ekitiké.

On the other side, Peter Bosz preferred to start the game using a 4-4-2 formation with Matěj Kovář as a goalkeeper, and a defensive line composed of all Jerdy Schouten and Yarek Gasiorowski as centre-backs, Anass Salah-Eddine as a left-back, and Sergiño Dest as a right-back.

In midfield, he relied on Mauro Júnior and Joey Veerman as central midfielders, and on Dennis Man and Ivan Perišić as wingers, with both Ismael Saibari and Guus Til forming the attacking duo.

Liverpool Attacking Weaknesses

Liverpool were unable to convert their chances as the attacking players’ decision-making was not good enough.

Liverpool could have scored the equaliser shortly after PSV’s first goal and before Szoboszlai’s goal.