Liverpool’s trip to Eindhoven was always going to make for interesting viewing. Last week’s win over Lille secured a top-two finish for Arne Slot’s side and it was inevitable that a weakened team would be selected for the concluding Champions League game of the league phase.

That nine players who started last weekend against Ipswich Town were left at home was a shock though. Andy Robertson and Cody Gakpo were the only two from that cohort who traveled to the Netherlands for the clash against PSV Eindhoven, and Liverpool will hope to see the benefits of Wednesday’s team selection on Saturday at Bournemouth, and over the coming weeks.

But the makeshift XI selected against PSV inevitably led to a post-match narrative surrounding who did and didn’t take their chances, even if Slot insisted beforehand that the players drafted in had ‘nothing to prove’.

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He contradicted himself somewhat with his post-match verdict on James McConnell, who he admitted had perhaps changed his mind on a possible loan move. In reality, any player on the fringes of the squad must try and stamp their authority when handed a rare starting berth.

Some did, Federico Chiesa being the most obvious. The winger has endured a tough start to life on Merseyside since his summer switch from the milder climes of Turin. This was just his second start for the Reds and he underlined his credentials by essentially setting up both Liverpool goals in the 3-2 defeat, after winning a penalty and seeing his shot rebound for Harvey Elliott to tap in.

Those moments stood out, but other less significant contributions may have gone unnoticed at first watch - especially for journalists frantically covering the game live. On rewatch, the Italian’s off-the-ball work stood out. He regained possession three times in the first 20 minutes alone, earned the penalty with his relentless pressing and was still pushing himself and the team forward in the final stages.

That Chiesa not only played 90 minutes, but also looked so fresh at the end, will be one of the biggest boosts for Slot. Completing more dribbles and having the most touches in the opposition box of any Liverpool player acts as another ringing endorsement.

Chiesa’s display helped dispel any negativity despite the scoreline and it was seen as a largely positive night as an experimental Liverpool side competed ably with the Dutch champions. McConnell was also among the big winners on Wednesday and looked at home playing on Europe’s biggest stage, while Caoimhin Kelleher produced some important saves, Jarell Quansah was mainly assured at the back and Jayden Danns demonstrated his battling qualities once again up front.

Others were less impressive, however. Wataru Endo’s error leading to PSV’s second goal was disappointing, while Harvey Elliott failed to repeat his encouraging recent displays and didn’t create a single chance for his team-mates during the 90 minutes.

On initial viewing, PSV scoring two goals down Liverpool’s right didn’t make particularly good reading for Conor Bradley. But watching the match back provided an alternate outlook. For Ismael Saibari’s goal, the winger managed to capitalize on the space afforded by the advancing Liverpool defender.

But Slot likes his full-backs to venture forward and had Endo not relinquished possession in his own half then PSV wouldn’t have been able to spring forward so quickly. With the Japan international on the ball, Bradley took a gamble and got caught out. An error admittedly, but a minor one in comparison to Endo’s mistake.

As for PSV’s third goal, scored by that was only made possible by Bradley being overrun in the wide areas. Far from his fault, this was a structural error from the Liverpool backline which was pulled apart seconds before the goal.

Slot referenced that in his post-match press conference. “Sometimes you see certain mistakes – but it’s always eventful,” opined the Dutchman on his return to the Netherlands. “And for the other reason because both teams, maybe mainly ours, were not playing in the set-up that we usually do, so then you see in some moments that we defend in a way that probably is not expected if we play with all of our starters.”

Indeed, upon second reflection, Bradley had a positive outing in Eindhoven and kept the skillful Saibari quiet for long spells, while he also carried a threat going forward. It may not have changed Slot’s opinion on the Northern Irish international, who he already rates very highly, but Wednesday’s game underlined once again the quality Liverpool has waiting in reserve.