For several weeks, there has been an intense debate about the potential significance that finishing at the top of the league phase table could have for Liverpool. However, on the eve of his team's encounter with PSV Eindhoven, Arne Slot demonstrated that securing the top position was not a high priority for him. He left out nine first - team players, among them captain Virgil van Dijk and the leading goal - scorer Mohamed Salah, from the matchday squad.

Despite Wednesday's clash being one of the more inconsequential ones of the evening, it was a highly entertaining first half at Philips Stadium, with PSV twice coming from behind before striker Ricardo Pepi gave them the lead on the stroke of half-time.

While there will be some disappointment that Liverpool were unable to maintain their flawless league phase record in Eindhoven, Slot will likely view it as important minutes in the legs for many of his second string. There were flashes of quality from some of Liverpool's young stars, with 20-year-old midfielder James McConnell particularly catching the eye, while it was heartening to see summer signing Federico Chiesa play 90 minutes for the first time since joining the club from Juventus.

With a tough Premier League assignment away to AFC Bournemouth to come at the weekend, the majority of Slot's main men have been afforded a well-deserved rest, while Barcelona's 2-2 draw with Atalanta means Liverpool top the league anyway. However, as everyone is discovering with this new Champions League format, the result could have some major ramifications down the line. PSV won and finished 14th, pushing PSG into 15th and into the route to play Liverpool in the round of 16. Had Liverpool not lost, PSG would have been 14th, and Liverpool would have played Monaco, Brest, Benfica or Feyenoord instead.