18-year-old Liverpool debutant sent off for BRUTAL challenge on PSV star in 3-2 UCL defeat
18-year-old Liverpool starlet Amara Nallo was sent off for a foul on PSV's Johan Bakayoko, minutes after making his debut for the club.
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Liverpool debutant Amara Nallo was sent off, just four minutes after coming on against PSV. (via BBC)
Liverpool under-19 defender Amara Nallo had a nightmare debut for the senior side, as he received a red just four minutes after coming onto the pitch. The Reds were reduced to 10-men, as they shockingly lost 3-2 to PSV Eindhoven.
Amara Nallo made his Liverpool debut during their last Champions League group stage outing against PSV. He came on as an 83rd minute substitute to replace Jayden Danns, in a much-changed Reds lineup. Liverpool however, went on to suffer their first Champions League defeat of the season. They failed to continue with their perfect winning run in the competition.
The Reds took an early lead, through Cody Gakpo’s 28th minute penalty. Liverpool transfer target Johan Bakayoko equalized for PSV, just seven minutes later. Harvey Elliott’s goal helped the Reds retain their lead. However, two goals before the half-time whistle, from Ismael Saibari and Ricardo Pepi, shocked the visitors. PSV held onto their narrow 3-2 lead throughout the second half, to secure a historic win.
PSV become the ONLY team to defeat Liverpool in the 2024/25 Champions League campaign 😮 👏 pic.twitter.com/iYnMrudIzX
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) January 29, 2025
Meanwhile, at just 18 years and 72 days old, Amara Nallo became the club’s youngest player to be red-carded in its 132-year history. He was sent off for a brutal challenge on Johan Bakayoko, kicking him in his crotch while attempting to clear the ball away. Referee Tobias Stieler immediately deemed Nallo’s foul as ‘serious’, and penalized him trying to block a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
18-year-old Amara Nallo made his Liverpool debut off the bench vs. PSV in the Champions League.
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) January 30, 2025
Four minutes later, he was sent off for this challenge on Johan Bakayoko 🤕🟥 pic.twitter.com/57cdjX2DXD
Amara Nallo also became the youngest player to be sent off in the UCL, breaking Manchester United legend Michael Owen’s 1998 record. The 18-year-old defender will now miss out on the club’s upcoming UCL round of 16 encounter, next month.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot brands Amara Nallo’s red card against PSV Eindhoven as ‘cruel’
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was left the most disappointed after 18-year-old defender Amara Nallo was shown a red card on his debut for the club. The Dutchman had given the academy product, a rare opportunity to make an impact against PSV.
Nallo was shown a straight red card for his foul on Johan Bakayoko during the club’s 3-2 defeat to PSV. Speaking after the match, manager Arne Slot expressed anguish, terming the sending-off as ‘cruel’. He admitted that Nallo misread the situation, and has to learn from his mistakes. Moreover, he highlighted that the 18-year-old start to his Liverpool career has not been a positive one, unlike many others.
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.
Arne Slot on Amara Nallo’s red card (H/T NY Times)
Nonetheless, despite the defeat, Liverpool still ended on top of the 36-team UCL standings with 21 points from eight matches. They have won seven out of those matches, and remain favorites to lift the title this season.
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Siddhartha Roy
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