Despite a first-leg battering in general play terms, Liverpool somehow managed to become the first team to inflict defeat on Paris Saint-Germain in 22 games; away goals might not “count” anymore but Arne Slot’s team have a small toe in the Champions League quarter-finals all the same.
By Karl Matchett
Immovable object beat the unstoppable force – but Reds require more
Alisson Becker put in what even he described as the performance of his life in the first leg at the Parc des Princes, making nine saves including some spectacular and improbable ones. Beyond the stat though was the timing and placement of his handiwork: if he couldn’t get the ball out for a corner, his parrying ensured nothing dropped in dangerous areas to PSG shirts and he was dominant aerially too.
PSG have scored 25 goals in their last five matches, excluding that last-16 first leg tie, but the combined forces of Ousmane Dembélé (eight shots) Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (five), Bradley Barcola (three) and the rest (11) simply had no answer to Alisson…or the offside flag, on one occasion.
Whether Alisson can replicate that performance a week later is not really the question; instead it’s more about can PSG offer up something different and will Liverpool offer up something more? After one purposeful attempt – Harvey Elliott’s goal – they certainly should do, but recent first-half showings in particular are cause for concern.
Anfield has never been a place to care for numbers
You’ll doubtless have heard the phrase European nights at Anfield thrown around over the years, and that’s because it is, unquestionably, a thing.
Better teams than PSG have come unstuck there. Far worse sides than this iteration of the Reds have seen their performance levels increase significantly. And, of course, first-leg scorelines which are far more tilted against Liverpool than this one will start as, have been overcome.
The occasion, the atmosphere and the expectation of greatness will all play into what happens, and the outcomes don’t always have to follow what the numbers of the game suggest should be the case.
Recent form
Liverpool’s first third of the season was a lot more relentless than the middle third was, but they look back on track in results terms – four straight wins in all competitions and their two defeats in the last 16 both came with heavily rotated reserve sides. At home, they’re unbeaten in all competitions since 14 September. PSG have it all to do then, but in their last dozen, they’ve won 11 – just that home defeat to Liverpool blemishes their late-season form. The French champions have still yet to suffer a loss in Ligue 1 this season.
Team news
PSG should be at full strength with no absentees, while Liverpool are likely to see an unchanged squad with just Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley absent. Cody Gakpo remains a doubt but could see bench duty.
Key player
Alexis Mac Allister. There aren’t many all-rounders like him: top quarter or so of midfielders for all of shots, touches, defensive actions, chances created and goals.
Prediction
It’s hard to see PSG failing to score again, but likewise the Reds are near-perfect on their own pitch. A close-fought tie but that late first-leg goal will prove key: Liverpool 1 PSG 1 (2-1 agg).
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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