Liverpool's hopes of getting their stuttering season back on track face a stern test tonight as they welcome Dutch side PSV Eindhoven to Anfield for a pivotal Champions League encounter. The Reds are reeling from a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend, a result that extends their poor run of form.
Injury Crisis Deepens for Slot
Manager Arne Slot is grappling with a significant selection headache ahead of the European fixture. The team will definitely be without the creative influence of Florian Wirtz, with the German international missing from the final training session alongside fellow absentees Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.
This trio joins Giovanni Leoni, who remains a long-term absentee due to an anterior cruciate ligament tear. While Joe Gomez is technically available, Slot revealed the defender is not at full fitness, having required an injection in his knee last week which limited his training time.
PSV's Form Presents Major Challenge
Despite their own injury concerns, with Alassane Plea and Ruben van Bommel ruled out, PSV arrive on Merseyside in formidable form. Peter Bosz's side are undefeated in their last 11 games across all competitions.
Their Champions League campaign has been mixed, but they have already secured a stunning 6-2 victory over Napoli, proving their capacity for a devastating attacking performance. Bosz, however, dismissed the notion that this is an ideal time to face a struggling Liverpool.
"I haven’t got a crystal ball," the PSV manager stated. "I’d rather play against a team that is not in form than one which is." He emphasised that his team will aim to impose their own style, saying, "We're going to try to play football, dare to play football... tomorrow it's all about who is going to do that the best."
Critical Juncture for Liverpool's Season
This match represents a critical moment for Slot and his players. With just three wins from their last eleven matches in all competitions, the pressure is mounting. However, their European form has been a rare bright spot, with two of those three recent victories coming in the Champions League against Eintracht Frankfurt and Real Madrid.
A positive result against a confident PSV side is crucial to rebuild momentum and silence the growing doubts around the team's direction. The absence of key players like Wirtz makes that task considerably more difficult, placing the onus on the rest of the squad to step up and deliver a performance befitting of Anfield's European nights.
