Let’s not kid ourselves: PSG are a far superior team to Liverpool. However, the crushing stupidity and naivety of Arne Slot’s men in Paris was staggering. That they got away with just a 2-0 loss was a minor miracle. It will now take a performance bordering on Herculean at Anfield next week to see them have any chance of reaching the semi-finals. The Champions League holders simply played Liverpool off the pitch.
Playing an unfamiliar back three, Liverpool looked lost from the first whistle. They barely got near the French champions in a first half in which they failed to have a shot, let alone one on target. Konate looked close to calamitous, whilst Van Dijk’s previous imperious form looks to have deserted him for good. Gomez, meanwhile, just isn’t good enough, with only Kerkez displaying any grit or tenacity.
One behind at half-time courtesy of a deflection, some might argue that conceding in that manner is unfortunate. It’s not. Red shirts simply don’t get close enough to the opposition; they barely tackle, and unforgivably, they turn their back on the ball. Up top, Hugo Ekitike was bordering on disgraceful. Lazy and unable to keep the ball through both naivety and lack of determination, he showed no ability to win throw-ins or corners, or to induce free kicks. Florian Wirtz, meanwhile, resembled a boy in a schoolyard, wondering why all those around him are bigger and stronger.
Of course, if Liverpool’s midfield offered more—even if it was simply half of what they consistently produced last season—the performance of the entire team would be elevated. Sadly, though, Alexis Mac Allister looks like he’s running in sand and resorts to imploring the referee to award him a foul when he loses the ball, whilst Gravenberch’s first reaction to being robbed of possession or misplacing a pass is to throw his hands up in frustration and momentarily sulk. Even Szoboszlai too often goes missing when most required.
Yet, Liverpool, though outclassed, are still in this tie. PSG will no doubt travel to Anfield fully expecting to progress, but they may just rue the myriad of chances they wasted, especially in the final ten minutes. 2-0 up through the outstanding Kvaratskhelia, they should have scored a third and fourth. Profligacy in front of goal, some good saves from Mamardashvili, and a referee showing the humility to reverse a penalty decision have given Liverpool a lifeline.
