Liverpool gave up their 100 per cent winning record in this season’s Champions League after falling to defeat against PSV Eindhoven.
The Reds were always going to struggle after taking an incredibly young squad to the Eredivisie leaders.
Things started well for Liverpool and they found themselves 2-1 up with time ticking down on the first-half.
But a series of sloppy defensive errors allowed PSV to turn things around in stoppage time and the Reds never recovered.
It was a frustrating evening on the whole and Arne Slot will not be completely pleased with elements of what he saw from his Liverpool squad.
Nevertheless, there were some bright spots, one being the performance of Federico Chiesa in the Reds attack.
Steve McManaman delivers Federico Chiesa verdict
Chiesa has been waiting an incredible amount of time to get his chance in the Liverpool starting XI.
Before Wednesday, the Italian’s one and only start for the Reds was in the Carabao Cup against West Ham on September 25th.
There have been bits and pieces here and there in the meantime, but away in the Philips Stadion was the first real chance for Chiesa to make his mark in a long while.
And make his mark the 27-year-old did. Having done brilliantly to win a penalty for Liverpool – which Cody Gakpo converted – Chiesa’s shot was then parried into Harvey Elliott’s path and the 21-year-old converted.
And according to former Reds winger Steve McManaman, on commentary for TNT Sports, the Italy international did well on the whole.
“You can see with Federico Chiesa, despite all his injury worries, he’s still got the skill,” said McManaman. “A couple of double step-overs, check back onto his right- foot, just the final ball was lacking.
“He’s looked nice and sharp though, Chiesa,” the pundit added. “He just needs to play more games. He started today, gets on the ball, his fitness levels looks good. But you still can’t take any chances. A good run out for Federico Chiesa tonight.”
How long did Chiesa play against PSV?
McManaman’s analysis is a fair one. Chiesa looked slightly rusty at times but he was comfortably Liverpool’s biggest threat on the night.
Even as the clock ticked down, the former Juventus man was hassling and harrying the PSV defenders.
Somewhat surprisingly, Chiesa managed to get the full 90 minutes for Liverpool.
With such a young bench, Slot had clearly planned to keep Chiesa on as long as possible and get the minutes in his legs that have been lacking in recent times.
Chiesa should be all the better for that and on this evidence, there is loads more to come.
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