PHILIPS STADION, EINDHOVEN // Liverpool lost to PSV but still finished top of the new-look Champions League group phase. Arne Slot's side did its job earlier in the tournament and was able to heavily rotate.

In a goal-filled first half, Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott both put Liverpool in the lead. PSV came back each time — once through Johan Bakayoko and then via Ismael Saibari — before a Conor Bradley own goal saw the Dutch outfit take the lead. The host was 3-2 up at the halfway mark.

The second half was much calmer, with neither side able to build on their goalscoring from earlier on. Amara Nallo saw red late on just moments after coming on for his senior debut. Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.

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Jayden Danns in for Darwin Nunez

With Darwin Nunez pulling out of the game through illness, Jayden Danns was given an opportunity to make his first Liverpool start. The 19-year-old could yet head out on loan for the remainder of the season but showed why it might be wise to keep him around here. Danns didn't look out of place.

He linked up the play at least as well as Nunez does and the teenager wasn't fazed. Danns could go out and play every week in the Championship but training with Liverpool and getting minutes here and there might be more useful for him. It is difficult to say how many opportunities he would get under Arne Slot by staying put. He hasn't done his chances any harm, though.

Andy Robertson's unfamiliar role

Andy Robertson, captaining the side, was deployed out of position at center-back, though he has played there a few times before. It wasn't a perfect performance, by any stretch, but he may never play that role again.

Alongside him, Kostas Tsimikas didn't have the easiest game — more on that in a second — but the pair got through it together. Liverpool will have been glad to give Virgli van Dijk a rest, though, and Joe Gomez will soon be back in contention after recovering from injury.

Here, Liverpool coped with one eye on the weekend. Robertson came off just after the hour mark — by which time Gakpo had already been withdrawn. That pair, you would imagine, will be starters at Bournemouth, with Slot offering something of a hint to Cherries boss Andoni Iraola.

Federico Chiesa sharp

This was just Federico Chiesa's second start for Liverpool since he arrived from Juventus last summer and he was clearly desperate to make an impact. While not everything came off for the Italian, it was a very promising night (even with the injury scare when he won the penalty that Gakpo converted).

Chiesa looked sharp and did plenty of shuttle runs as he pressed and harried the defense. One of them led to the tackle that caused the panicked foul that won his side the first-half penalty kick. Aside from that, he threw in plenty of stepovers and looked bright. On the turn, there was a level of sharpness not seen until now in a Reds shirt. Hopefully, he can carry on improving.

James McConnell impresses

James McConnell, aside from Danns, was the only young player to start, interestingly selected over Tyler Morton in the starting XI. Off the bench came Morton, Trey Nyoni and Amara Nallo, but McConnell was the pick of the bunch.

With such poise in possession and tenacity out of it, McConnell has the skillset that is required to play in the Liverpool midfield. Like Morton, he has a future in the top flight somewhere even if it doesn't end up being at Anfield. This was another impressive display from the former Sunderland talent, who seems to make a positive impression every time he features.

Johan Bakayoko passes transfer audition

PSV winger Johan Bakayoko, valued at around $63m (£50m/€60m) according to Caught Offside, had a better season last year than he has this, but he looked like he wanted to prove a point in this match, sending a message against a big opponent. Liverpool has been linked with him plenty of times in the past and he won't be playing in the Eredivisie forever.

At 21, Bakayoko was PSV's best player by a distance. Whether it is Liverpool or elsewhere that he takes the next step, he is clearly someone who Europe should be watching out for. He gave Tsimikas a few issues with his quick feet and direct dribbling. Leaving Robertson and Jarell Quansah sprawled out on the floor when he scored, his goal was an excellent finish.