PSV manager Peter Bosz expressed his fury over his team's showboating during their Champions League victory against Liverpool, stating he would have "sawed them off below the knees" had he been on the field.
The Dutch champions secured a notable 3-2 victory over Liverpool, ending the English side's perfect run in this season's Champions League. However, the win was overshadowed by what Bosz considered disrespectful behavior from his own players.
The controversy arose late in the match after Liverpool's young defender Amara Nallo received a red card shortly after making his debut. With the numerical advantage, PSV players began to display flashy possession play, including backheels and no-look passes, much to the entertainment of home supporters but to the visible displeasure of their manager.
"I thought it was terrible. I'm really annoyed," Bosz told reporters in his post-match comments. "It's misplaced, they shouldn't do that. It was a kind of rondo they played there, with a back heel and a no-look pass. If I had been in that position, I would have sawed them off below the knees. You just shouldn't do that."
The manager further emphasized his disapproval, stating, "I don't think it's respectful to the opponent. I haven't spoken to them about it yet, but I will. I do like entertaining the crowd but in a different way. I think we would have entertained the crowd before without all that craziness."
The victory secured PSV's advancement to the play-off round under the new Champions League format. However, Bosz expressed concerns about potentially facing familiar opponents in the next phase, particularly fellow Dutch side Feyenoord or Juventus, whom they've already encountered. "I don't like that," he remarked. "When you play in Europe you hope to meet an exotic club, like Liverpool. You prefer not to play against a team from your own country and we've already had Juventus."
Despite the defeat marking Arne Slot's first European setback as Liverpool manager, the Reds' Champions League campaign remains intact. Having already secured their place in the knockout rounds, Liverpool will resume their European journey when the round of 16 begins in March.
