PSV missing six players for Liverpool clash as Arne Slot faces familiar foe
Liverpool might already be qualified in the top two of the Champions League group phase but there is still plenty for its final opponent, PSV, to play for. The Dutch side could do with the points to make the last-32 because it is currently 19th.
The match in the Netherlands will see Arne Slot come face-to-face with former Borussia Dortmund boss Peter Bosz once more. They played each other three times last season when Slot was still at Feyenoord — the Liverpool boss won one, drew one and lost one — but PSV won the Eredivisie title.
The Dutch side will make at least one more change from its weekend win over NAC Breda because center-back Ryan Flamingo — who has played more minutes than any other Rood-witten player this season — is suspended after his red card against Red Star Belgrade in Europe. Armando Obispo could come into the team in his place.
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Another player set to be missing is attacking midfielder Malik Tillman. He has an ankle injury, while former Barcelona full-back Sergino Dest is still sidelined following ACL damage. Center-back Adamo Nagalo and winger Couhaib Driouech are also out, making a total of six players who will be missing through injury or suspension.
USMNT star Ricardo Pepi and Liverpool-linked winger Johan Bakayoko are two players to watch. Pepi is PSV's top scorer and has 16 in all competitions this season. Neither him nor Bakayoko are likely to remain in the Eredivisie for long with plenty of clubs having taken a look at the pair.
Liverpool.com says: The pressure is off the Reds here but it would be nice to win and make it eight wins from eight matches, finishing top of the standings. That said, with Bournemouth coming up at the weekend, Slot needs to make changes. The likes of Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch should be rested and ideally won't even travel.