Liverpool vs PSV: Match preview, head-to-head, team news, key players

Liverpool welcome PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League at Anfield on Wednesday evening.

PSV triumphed 3-2 when they met in the competition last season, handing the Reds their only defeat in the league phase.

Liverpool produced their best performance of the season on the last matchday, beating Real Madrid 1-0 on their patch.

PSV, meanwhile, secured a 1-1 draw at Olympiacos, extending their unbeaten run in the competition to three matches.

Match preview

Liverpool head into the fixture on the back of a 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday and will aim to avoid a second straight home loss.

The Reds have struggled in the league, losing six of their last seven games, but have fared better in Europe, picking up nine points from four matches.

Manager Arne Slot’s position is currently safe, but he needs to get Liverpool back to their best, starting with this fixture.

PSV have just one win so far but have yet to lose on road , making them a tricky opposition for Liverpool.

The Dutch side will be encouraged by the hosts’ poor form and will look to move up the standings with a positive result at Anfield.

PSV have scored nine goals and will fancy their chances against Liverpool’s struggling defence, but they will have to defend solidly to leave Merseyside unscathed.

Head-to-head

Liverpool have faced PSV seven times in the competition, winning five, drawing one and losing once.

Team news

Liverpool will still be without Giovanni Leoni, Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, but Florian Wirtz could return after missing the defeat to Forest.

Alassane Plea and Ruben van Bommel are sidelined for the visitors.

Key players

Liverpool

Dominik Szoboszlai: He impressed in the defeat to Forest and is expected to continue at right-back in this clash.

Hugo Ekitike: The Reds’ top scorer across all competitions with six goals.

PSV

Ricardo Pepi: Has five goal contributions in his last four outings in the competition, including a goal against Liverpool.

Joey Veerman: Leads the squad for accurate passes and key passes per game.

Stats from sofascore.com, fbref.com & uefa.com