The Dutch side had posted some acceptable performances in the premier European competition; however, they'd won 11 of their 13 Eredivisie matches in 2025/26, losing just one, whilst scoring an incredible 41 goals and conceding just 17.
PSV weren't to be underestimated
Unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions, PSV were therefore clearly playing with confidence and were to be underestimated at Liverpool's peril.
Though the Reds had also lost against them in January this year (3-2), the previous six fixtures between the sides had seen five Liverpool wins and one draw. In four of those games, PSV hadn't managed to get on the scoresheet, and in the other two, they'd only managed to find the net once.
Furthermore, Arne Slot's side had won both Champions League ties that had been played at Anfield this season, against Real Madrid (1-0) and their city neighbours, Atletico Madrid (3-2).
Virgil van Dijk made his 57th start in the competition for Liverpool; only Jamie Carragher (80), Mo Salah (72) and Steven Gerrard (68) had made more for the Reds.
Van Dijk's night quickly turned sour
Unfortunately for Liverpool's captain, his night was to quickly turn sour after he was penalised for a handball in the box with just four minutes gone. When Ivan Perisic sent Giorgi Mamardashvili the wrong way from the spot, you could've heard a pin drop inside Anfield.
A third penalty conceded by the Dutchman in all competitions this season is the most of any Premier League player during 2025/26, hinting at the troubles which Van Dijk is experiencing at present.
Despite over 40% of play being inside the Liverpool defensive third in the opening quarter hour, the hosts were able to hit back thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Hungarian's goal was extra special given it was the Reds' 500th at home in all European competitions, and it drew him level with Mo Salah as the players with the most goal involvements in all competitions in 25/26 (eight).
Salah below par... again
Salah's own contribution on the night was, regrettably, below par once again. Though he managed seven touches in the PSV box, he fired just one off-target shot all game.
Liverpool at least remained dominant in terms of possession, with Curtis Jones particularly brilliant in this regard, and at one stage had 72% of the ball.
However, the hosts were easily contained by a PSV defence in which Jerdy Schouten and Anass Salah-Eddine completed the majority of their tackles.
Van Dijk saw an effort cannon back off the woodwork, and Hugo Ekitike had four attempts at goal, two of which were on target, as Liverpool really began to turn the screw in the lead-up to half-time.
To put their dominance into a little more context, PSV's Guus Til had only five touches in the first half, and the penalty was their only shot at goal.
Two goals conceded for the 12th time in 25/26
Within 10 minutes of the restart, Til had fired the visitors back in front, due in no small part to the lack of willingness from both Salah and Milos Kerkez.
The Egyptian King was easily beaten in midfield by Mauro Junior, who then ran on and delivered a beautiful ball into Til's path. Kerkez, who had been the busiest Liverpool player in terms of tackles made to that point (eight), ran alongside Til rather than playing him offside or getting another tackle in.
That strike, one that Liverpool themselves would've been proud of, ensured the Reds had conceded 2+ goals in 12 matches from 20 in all competitions during 25/26 - more than any other Premier League side.
To their credit, heads didn't drop, and all of Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, Ibrahima Konate and Szoboszlai peppered the PSV goal.
And yet, when it came to defending their own goal, Liverpool came up short again.
Embarrassing from Konate
Having lost possession in midfield once more - between Szoboszlai, Jones, Mac Allister and Gravenberch the Reds gave up the ball on an astonishing 58 occasions - Slot needed his back four to stand tall.
However, Konate's embarrassing attempt at a clearance simply allowed Ricardo Pepi space in behind, and despite covering, Van Dijk didn't attempt a tackle.
Pepi's subsequent shot bounced back off the post to a grateful Couhaib Driouech to fire home, meaning that, for the first time since way back in September 1992, Liverpool had conceded 3+ goals in three consecutive games in all competitions.
The goal came despite the hosts having 76% possession of the ball in the 15 minutes preceding Driouech's finish.
West Ham up next
Even worse was to follow.
In trying to get back into the game, Liverpool had another seven attempts at goal (27 in total by the end of the game) but were hit by a sucker-punch in injury time.
Van Dijk's lack of pace was shown up as Sergino Dest waltzed past him to the byline and crossed for Driouech to bag PSV's fourth.
Poring over the wreckage of another dismal defensive showing, Slot will know that he has to come up with solutions quickly.
West Ham, therefore, looms large as Liverpool's next opponents, and it's a fixture that they can't afford to lose.
Catch up on Liverpool vs PSV here.
