Liverpool hosted PSV in a Champions League meeting on Wednesday evening, looking to bounce back from a dire display last time out.
While their league form under Arne Slot has left much to be desired this term, the Reds have looked strong in Europe this season.
Liverpool beat Real Madrid in their last European fixture after hammering Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1.
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But a difficult clash was still expected at Anfield on Wednesday when an in-form PSV, who beat the Premier League champions 3-2 last season, came to town.
Virgil van Dijk gave away a penalty after five minutes to hand the visitors the lead on Wednesday.
The Reds hit back 11 minutes later via Dominik Szoboszlai, who was deployed in his natural midfield role on the night after featuring at right-back last time out.
However, they could not remain level, with Guus Til making it 2-1 shortly before the hour mark after making a run ahead of Milos Kerkez before slotting past Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Couhaib Driouech added two more late on to kill the tie off and hand Liverpool yet another defeat.
Arne Slot does not rate Federico Chiesa
Three goals and two assists in less than 370 minutes of football apparently isn’t enough to earn a place in Slot’s starting line-up, even against a ‘weaker’ opponent.
Cody Gakpo was once again given the nod on the left flank, seeing Federico Chiesa reduced to a bench role once more.
The winger has had transfer interest from Italy previously, and while he remains committed to Liverpool for the time being, his continued exclusion from the eleven may change that come January.
The Reds have an interest in Antoine Semenyo, who can play all across the frontline, and are even thought to be looking at a new striker for January.
This, coupled with the fact that Chiesa can’t even get a start when the rest of Liverpool’s forwards are so out of form, suggests Slot does not view the Italian as a key player.
Dominik Szoboszlai must remain in midfield
Amid injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, Szoboszlai has been used out of position at right-back on six occasions this season.
While the Hungarian can do a job in defence, it’s clear he is much, much more effective in the centre of the pitch.
His attacking awareness for the equaliser in the first half was brilliant, and Liverpool can press much better when Szoboszlai is playing in midfield.
That does, however, leave Slot with a problem at right-back, given Bradley isn’t expected back for several weeks.
But once Joe Gomez is fully fit, the versatile centre-back will be a more viable option in that role than Wednesday’s starter, Curtis Jones.
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Marc Guehi transfer is now a must
There were many issues on display against PSV, but yet again, defence was the most glaring problem.
Van Dijk cost Liverpool early on, and their entire back four struggled to stay in shape across the 90 minutes.
Konate did little of note, and Slot allowing Kerkez more freedom meant he wasn’t in the right position to prevent PSV’s second.
Liverpool already have the joint-fifth-worst defence in the Premier League this season, and their inability to keep clean sheets has carried over into Europe.
Marc Guehi could be signed in January, and if this game doesn’t make Liverpool pick up the phone to Crystal Palace soon, nothing will.
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