Liverpool's perfect start to its Champions League campaign was ended as PSV Eindhoven emerged as a 3-2 victor over Arne Slot's much-changed side at the Philips Stadion.

The Reds' place in the last 16 of the competition was already guaranteed after seven straight league-phase wins, so Slot used the game as an opportunity to rest the vast majority of his first-team regulars.

A potentially tricky assignment at Bournemouth awaits this weekend, and freshness could be key against a team that has scored nine goals in its last two games, both of which were against teams in the Premier League's top five.

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Back to Wednesday night's match, though, and the lack of first-team regulars on show from both sides contributed to a frantic first half, and that is something Dutch newspaper Eindhovens Dagblad referenced. Reporter Rik Elfrink wrote: "The British did not exactly play with an A-team and PSV coach Peter Bosz was also not exactly up to the task when writing down the names on the line-up board. For example, 19-year-old Tygo Land made his debut in PSV's midfield. What the balance of power would have been if both teams had entered with their strongest assets remains a matter of speculation."

Meanwhile, De Volkskrant's sports reporter Willem Vissers said that the lack of jeopardy for both clubs contributed to a pulsating first half. Liverpool's passage to the last 16 was secured prior to Christmas, while PSV was already virtually assured of a play-off spot prior to kick-off.

Vissers wrote: "If a match in the highest league for clubs has degenerated into a matter of refined practice football, then let it be done in an attractive way. Play freely, according to the philosophy of the trainers. Let the audience enjoy and cheer. Make a lot of mistakes, that too.

"An audience that had been made excited for months with the apotheosis of the avalanche of duels in the competition phase of the new style Champions League, although the match in Eindhoven had been deprived of real tension for the standings due to the complications in recent months. The positions were more or less taken."

De Telegraaf, meanwhile, mentioned the reception that Cody Gakpo received upon returning to the Philips Stadion for the first time since leaving the club two years ago. Journalist Jeroen Kapteijns wrote: "Liverpool had left twelve big guns at home in England, but the so-called B-choice of coach Arne Slot also has a lot of footballing ability on display in the Philips Stadium. PSV gave away a lot of space, which Slot's team gratefully took advantage of.

"A striking role in the first half was reserved for Joey Veerman, who fed both his haters and fans. First, the Volendammer caused a penalty when he was played in by Mauro Junior in the penalty area, let the ball bounce off his foot and then hit Federico Chiesa in an attempt to correct his mistake. Cody Gakpo of all people took the penalty and kept his promise not to cheer against his old club: 0-1.

"The mutual respect was evident when Gakpo was substituted after 52 minutes, when the former PSV player received a standing ovation from the home crowd and was sung to with 'Cody Gakpo Eindhovenaar'."