Liverpool lost their 100% winning record in the Champions League but still managed to top the inaugural league phase on Wednesday night. A much-changed Reds side twice took the lead away at PSV Eindhoven, but ultimately fell to a 3-2 defeat.

They also finished the night with 10 men after Amara Nallo was sent off less than four minutes after coming on to make his Liverpool debut.

Arne Slot’s big guns will return at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, after the Dutchman left 12 senior stars at home, while one of Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco and Brest will now await them in the round-of-16.

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Defeat ultimately meant nothing to Liverpool, given they finished first regardless and would still face one of the same quartet even if they had been overtaken by Barcelona. And here’s what the national media made of their rare loss over in Eindhoven…

Paul Joyce of The Times focused on the contrasting fortunes of some of the Reds’ youngsters, with James McConnell impressing in midfield, Jayden Danns potentially departing on loan before Monday’s transfer deadline, and Nallo endured a debut to forget.

He wrote: “Amara Nallo had bounded on to the pitch at the Philips Stadion to realise a dream. Just four minutes later, the teenage centre half was trudging off having been red-carded, his Liverpool debut ruined by one misjudged challenge and the tumbling frame of PSV Eindhoven’s Jonathan Bakayoko.

“A night that Nallo thought he would always remember had immediately become one to forget… Nallo, signed from West Ham United in 2023, had, like so many here, been a beneficiary of Slot’s decision to leave nine first-team players on Merseyside ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth.

“While he was left cursing his luck, the night was brighter for James McConnell, 20, who started in midfield and impressed Slot to such a degree that he will now not be considered for a loan move in the transfer window.

“Jayden Danns, 19, however, who became the youngest Liverpool player to start in Europe’s premier club competition, may yet be allowed to join one of the many Sky Bet Championship clubs who have an interest in him. The striker’s future will be discussed by Slot and director of football Richard Hughes in the coming days.”

The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe conceded that ‘Nallo’s ill-fortune left the final impression’, but pointed how Slot’s latest loss - much like his second to Spurs - is not causing his side damage.

He wrote: “It was always destined to be a night to remember for Arne Slot’s Liverpool rookies. One left Eindhoven with his head in his hands while his team-mate’s will be in the clouds.

“For 18-year-old Amara Nallo, there was an outpouring of sympathy that a senior debut ended in a nightmare four-minute cameo resulting in a red card as PSV ended Liverpool’s flawless European record.

“Contrast that with 20-year-old James McConnell, showered with praise from his manager, Slot declaring himself in possession of another accomplished midfielder for the Premier League and Champions League quest.

“While Nallo may wish the senior players were not given the night off, McConnell endeavoured to show he is a worthy alternative even when the cavalry returns. Naturally, Nallo’s ill-fortune left the final impression…

“Barcelona’s draw with Atalanta means Liverpool still finished top of the qualifying round. It bodes well for Slot that even his losses are not causing damage at the moment.”

Andy Hunter of The Guardian believes Slot will not be too disappointed by the loss with Liverpool having much bigger aims in sight.

He wrote: “Liverpool lost their 100% record in the Champions League but one suspects Arne Slot will be over the disappointment before he arrives back on Merseyside. It will take Amara Nallo much longer to recover.

“The 18-year-old defender was handed his Liverpool debut in the 83rd minute at PSV Eindhoven, one of several young faces to appear in the group finale as Slot returned to the Netherlands with an eye on a more important date with Bournemouth on Saturday. Four minutes later the teenager was off, a disconsolate figure after receiving a straight red card for denying Johan Bakayoko a clear goalscoring opportunity.

“Nallo’s misfortune was in stark contrast to impressive contributions from his fellow academy graduates James McConnell, Jayden Danns and Tyler Morton…

“PSV secured their place in the playoffs. Liverpool have bigger aims, starting with Bournemouth.”

The Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele believes Slot will take the positives from a night that Nallo might want to forget.

He wrote: “They say you will never forget your debut. Amara Nallo certainly will not – even though he may want to. The extremely highly-rated 18-year-old Liverpool defender, who was poached from West Ham's academy in 2023, has been on the bench a couple of times but not had a sniff of action until the 83rd minute here in Eindhoven, when he was sent on.

“Four minutes later, he was walking the other way. Trudging off with a face like thunder after being shown a red card for tugging back Johan Bakayoko when the last man back. At least we can safely make the prediction that things can only get better for the poor lad.

“His time will come again. Liverpool academy observers have been wowed by his talents in the youth team – the ability to bully strikers, recovery pace, leadership skills, old-school defensive abilities and calmness on the ball.

“But for Nallo, this unforgettable night turned into a moment he may want to wipe from his memory, as bizarre as that sounds. There are few words to describe the conflict of emotions he must have felt on night as he climbed into bed at the team hotel in Eindhoven.

“Nallo's regret would have been heightened if this result had actually meant anything… And although they fell to defeat, there were many positives for Slot to ponder on the flight home this afternoon. Many star men rested up with 12 first-teamers left in England, rhythm into the legs of the back-up brigade and an invaluable experience for some of the Kop kids that travelled.”

And finally, the Liverpool ECHO’s Chief Liverpool Writer Ian Doyle wrote in his match verdict that Slot’s reaction at the final whistle gave away his true feelings about his latest loss.

He wrote: “It wasn’t quite up there with the great philosophical musings. Arne Slot, though, felt moved to declare before this game that a very wise man had once decreed to never having seen anything good come from losing a football game.

“There is, of course, a first time for everything. While there will be disappointment at only a third defeat of the season in going down 3-2 at PSV Eindhoven in what was effectively a Champions League dead rubber, there were some positives.

“And the big smile on Slot’s face as he greeted counterpart Peter Bosz on the pitch after the full-time whistle suggests any negatives won’t linger too long in the mind.

“Indeed, any supporters angered by this defeat and the manner in which Slot’s selection underlined it wasn’t a priority are probably the same ones who had been demanding key players be rested in recent weeks. It is impossible to please everyone…

“PSV always looked comfortable, prompting huge celebrations from the home fans at the final whistle. Liverpool, though, can now concentrate on games that really matter.”