Arne Slot Defends Amara Nallo After Red Card in Liverpool's Loss to PSV

Liverpool's 18-year-old debutant Amara Nallo was sent off in their 3-2 Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven, with manager Arne Slot defending the youngster's actions.

Liverpool teenager Amara Nallo's senior debut in the Champions League ended in disappointment as he was sent off just four minutes after coming off the bench in the 3-2 defeat at PSV Eindhoven. The 18-year-old received a straight red card for hacking down Johan Bakayoko in the 87th minute, becoming the youngest Liverpool player to be sent off.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot defended Nallo, saying the red card was unfair. “It is cruel but he has never played first team football before and to make your debut in the Champions League is probably the hardest,” Slot told reporters. Slot acknowledged that Nallo misinterpreted the situation, but emphasized that it was a valuable learning experience.

Slot encouraged Nallo to use the setback as motivation to improve. “A career isn't always positive, it also has negatives and he has to make sure he plays in this competition again,” Slot said. The defeat marked Liverpool's first loss in this season's Champions League, but they had already secured a spot in the last 16.

The match was a thrilling encounter, with all five goals scored in a frantic first half. Despite the loss, Liverpool's passage to the knockout stages had already been secured, and Slot will be hoping that Nallo can learn from his debut experience and bounce back stronger.

Read Arne Slot’s post-match verdict on our #UCL encounter against PSV Eindhoven as the Champions League league phase concluded 💬

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 29, 2025

Liverpool's much-changed lineup twice took the lead against PSV Eindhoven, with Cody Gakpo scoring a penalty and Harvey Elliott adding a tap-in. However, PSV fought back through goals from Johan Bakayoko and Ismael Saibari, before Ricardo Pepi's deft finish put them ahead in first-half stoppage time. Despite the 3-2 loss, Liverpool topped their group with 21 points and will be among the favorites in the knockout rounds.

PSV end Liverpool's perfect record and are through to the knockout phase play-offs 👊#UCL pic.twitter.com/7tRTHvamlv

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025

Andy Robertson, Liverpool's captain for the night, reflected on the chaotic final evening of the Champions League group stage. “I'm glad our place was settled,” Robertson said, relieved that Liverpool's spot in the last 16 was secure. He acknowledged that the new group stage format had created excitement, with 18 games played simultaneously. “All the games on one night created excitement,” Robertson noted. “We know whatever format it was, our aim is always to get to the last 16 and then we see if we can go further.”

Liverpool will face one of Paris St Germain, Benfica, AS Monaco, or Brest in the last 16. Despite the loss to PSV, the team's confidence remains high, and they will look to build on their strong group stage performance in the knockout rounds.