Champions LeagueThe opposition lowdown: PSV Eindhoven

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All scenarios are on the table for Peter Bosz's team as they enter matchday eight: last-16 qualification, a knockout play-off place and elimination.

That said, by far the most likely end result for PSV is a spot in the play-offs.

They currently sit 19th in the league-phase standings on 11 points and with three victories, the last of which came away at Red Star Belgrade. Their other victories were over Shakhtar Donetsk and Girona.

In the Eredivisie, the reigning champions occupy top spot in the 2024-25 edition with a four-point lead and beat NAC Breda 3-2 on Saturday.

Ones to watch

USA forward Ricardo Pepi is PSV's biggest threat in front of goal this season.

The 22-year-old has scored 16 goals from his 27 appearances in all competitions. Next best in the team is captain Luuk de Jong with 13.

Their creative spark is likely to come from Morocco international Ismael Saibari, who has 10 assists to his name in 2024-25 thus far.

Team news

Bosz will need to make three enforced changes to the line-up he deployed last weekend.

Ryan Flamingo is suspended following his sending-off in their last Champions League outing, Ivan Perisic is not registered in the competition and Jerdy Schouten has been ruled out.

Sergino Dest, Malick Tillman and Couhaib Driouech have been out with injury.

Adamo Nagalo (shoulder) and Noa Lang (illness) will be assessed ahead of the 8pm GMT kick-off.

What was said

PSV head coach Bosz

"The goal is to reach the next round. With one point we are certain of the play-off round. The self-confidence is there but we are going to play against perhaps the best club in Europe – if not in the world.

"I am looking forward to these kinds of matches. The UEFA Champions League is great in general and then also against the leaders. We can see if we can compete at this level."

Pre-match stats

PSV have never beaten Liverpool in six previous attempts (drawn one, lost five) – the joint-most times they have faced an opponent in major European competition without ever winning.

They are unbeaten in each of their last 11 home games in major European competition (won six, drawn five) since a 2-1 loss to Leicester City in April 2022 in the Conference League.

Bosz's men have won their last two home Champions League fixtures at Philips Stadium – last winning three in a row in the 2015-16 group stage. They scored at least three goals in both wins.

De Jong could become PSV's all-time top scorer in the European Cup/Champions League, with the Dutchman currently level with Romario on 11 goals. He netted a brace last time out in this competition.

Opposition view

Michael Bell, editor of Football-Oranje

On the season so far...

PSV won the Eredivisie easily last season and expectations were high going into this campaign. They are top of the league, but it has not been as smooth for Bosz’s side and they have suffered some poor losses.

They are four points ahead of Ajax at the top of the table, though their rivals have a game in hand. The Champions League has been mostly positive apart from the defeat to Stade Brest. They did well to draw 1-1 at PSG and blew Girona away 4-0. In the last match they survived a red card and held on for a crucial 3-2 win over Red Star Belgrade to keep their play-off hopes on track. With a three-point cushion they are almost assured of a place in the play-off round going into the final round of games, so it has been a good campaign in the competition so far.

On PSV's key players...

De Jong is still a decisive player up top for PSV but he has been overtaken as top scorer this season by the American striker Pepi, who will start v Liverpool. He is technical, can drop into the 10 position and is a great finisher.

On the wing they also have Johan Bakayoko who is interesting some of the biggest clubs in Europe and the press have even linked him to Liverpool, so I'm sure fans will want to see him in action. Ismail Saibari is also a very talented young attacking midfielder who can score goals! Sadly the key midfielder Schouten has been ruled out with an injury and that is a big blow.

On PSV's style of play...

Peter Bosz is an attack-minded coach who usually opts for the traditional 4-3-3 formation. With De Jong as a focal point and two speedy attackers, PSV like to dominate possession and get crosses into the box. Defending has been an issue for PSV since the start of the year and it will need to be much tighter at the back if they are to get a result against Liverpool.

However, Mauro Junior and Rick Karsdorp are two attacking full-backs who like to get forward and overlap the wingers. Bosz will certainly set his side up to attack and he won’t try and park the bus against Liverpool.

PSV predicted XI: Benitez, Karsdorp, Junior, Boscagli, Flamingo, Veerman, Saibari, Pepi, Bakayoko, Peresic, De Jong.