Liverpool were unable to see out their 100% winning record in the UEFA Champions League with a 3-2 loss against PSV Eindhoven.
A heavily-rotated Reds side were unable to make it eight wins from eight in the Champions League as a hectic first-half saw Liverpool lose for the first time in Europe this season, though the Anfield side still finished top of the standings with FC Barcelona drawing at home against Atalanta.
With Cody Gakpo scoring for Liverpool against his former side, there was a feeling in the air for the visiting side that tonight’s game in Eindhoven meant little for Arne Slot, with this weekend’s Premier League game against AFC Bournemouth a massive one for the league leaders.
Jayden Danns makes Liverpool history after start vs PSV Eindhoven
As per BBC Sport, Jayden Danns became the youngest player to make his first start for Liverpool in a Champions League game, beating Martin Kelly’s record after the defender made his debut against Olympique Lyonnais in October 2009.
Danns was lauded by Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler after the striker’s impressive cameo against Accrington Stanley earlier this month in the FA Cup, with the teenager coming off the bench to score the fourth goal of the game for the Reds.
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With Danns one of four Liverpool players who could leave on loan before the closure of the transfer window next week, the attacker making history with the Premier League giants will go a long way in attracting potential suitors in the final days of the market.
Yet Danns historic performance for Liverpool might not have even be possible had one senior player been fit enough to feature for the Reds this evening, with Slot choosing to leave as many first-teamers back home as possible.
Why didn’t Darwin Nunez start for Liverpool vs PSV Eindhoven?
Danns’ start for Liverpool came as a surprise to many given how perfect an occasion tonight’s game was for Darwin Nunez to lead the line for the Reds, yet the Uruguay international’s absence was not a tactical decision from Slot.
As reported by the Athletic’s James Pearce, the former Benfica man missed tonight’s game due to illness, with Nunez joining the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold in having the night off for Liverpool.
Indeed, Nunez’s absence tonight allowed Danns to make history for Liverpool, and the experience in Eindhoven will work wonders for the teenager’s development, which under Slot could be about to hit new heights in the coming weeks.
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