Red card for Amara Nallo against PSV Eindhoven was cruel, says Liverpool manager Arne Slot
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot said that making a debut in the Champions League is probably the hardest.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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EINDHOVEN – Liverpool teenager Amara Nallo learnt a harsh lesson as he was sent off four minutes after coming off the bench to make his senior debut in the Champions League game at PSV Eindhoven on Jan 29.
The 18-year-old was shown a straight card for hacking down Johan Bakayoko in the 87th minute of Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat, their first in this season’s competition.
It gave him the dubious distinction of becoming the youngest Liverpool player to be sent off.
“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,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot, whose side had already wrapped up a last-16 spot, told reporters.
“He misinterpreted the situation and it’s a big moment to learn from. It is cruel when you think I’m making my Champions League debut but you go off a few minutes later.
“A career isn’t always positive, it also has negatives and he has to make sure he plays in this competition again.”
It capped a frantic night in Eindhoven in which all the goals were scored in a breathless first half.
A much-changed Liverpool twice led with a penalty by Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott's tap-in, but PSV hit back through Bakayoko and Ismael Saibari, before Ricardo Pepi's deft finish put the hosts ahead in first-half stoppage time.
Pepi said: “No matter what team they (Liverpool) have, the first or second team, we know that they have quality players. It’s nice to play against teams like this.
“I think (the debutants) were amazing to be honest, congrats to them. But everyone put in a decent performance, so that was good.”
Liverpool still ended the group phase on top of the standings with 21 points and will be one of the strong favourites heading into the knockout rounds.
Andy Robertson, captain for the night, said the new Champions League group-stage format had produced “carnage” on the final evening of action with 18 games but was happy that Liverpool had got the job done with seven straight wins.
Liverpool’s Amara Nallo is shown a red card by referee Tobias Stieler as PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko reacts after sustaining an injury.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“I’m glad our place was settled,” the Scot said.
“All the games on one night created excitement. 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 play either Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco or Brest in the last 16.
PSV will have to take their chances in the play-offs as they finished seeded in 14th place.
Midfielder Joey Veerman said: “I heard that it will be Feyenoord or Juventus. That’s really something.
“We lost 3-1 to Juventus (in the league phase), so we want to set the record straight. And if it’s Feyenoord, that will be strange but also great.”
Fellow Dutch side Feyenoord suffered a 6-1 away humbling at the hands of Lille on Jan 29, which allowed the Ligue 1 side to be the only French team to seal a top-eight spot and an automatic last-16 place.
Juventus were beaten 2-0 at home by Benfica, who will be seeded for the play-off round.
“We didn’t deserve the victory,” said Juventus coach Thiago Motta.
“Benfica created and finished better than us. Now we have to improve quickly, because on Sunday we have to play immediately (against Empoli).” REUTERS
