Liverpool face an enormous process to succeed in the Champions League final 4 after a humbling 2-0 defeat to holders Paris Saint-Germain of their quarter-final first leg on the Parc des Princes.
Want Doue scored a deflected opener and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia punished poor defending so as to add a brilliantly-taken second in a one-sided contest in Paris as Liverpool have been condemned to a fourth consecutive away defeat for the primary time since April 2012.
The margin of defeat would have been better if not for some wasteful Paris Saint-Germain ending and good goalkeeping from Giorgi Mamardashvili, who made nice saves from Doue, Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Achraf Hakimi because the hosts dominated.
Hugo Ekitike reacts after Liverpool fall 2-0 right down to PSG within the Champions League quarter-final first leg
Luis Enrique’s facet have been additionally aggrieved to not be awarded not less than one penalty, with VAR overturning the referee’s choice to penalise Ibrahima Konate for a foul on Warren Zaire-Emery, then opting to not penalise the defender for a push on Nuno Mendes.
Liverpool have been lucky solely to lose by two objectives having been comprehensively outclassed on the evening and might want to present main enchancment in subsequent week’s second leg at Anfield, having solely mustered three photographs, and none on course, on a poor evening in Paris.
Arne Slot modified his system to a again 5 in an try to comprise Paris Saint-Germain’s appreciable risk and located no place for Mohamed Salah, who was an unused substitute, solely two weeks after confirming his exit on the finish of the marketing campaign.
The tactical adjustment didn’t faze the hosts, although, who deservedly added to Doue’s deflected opener when Ryan Gravenberch failed to trace Kvaratskhelia, who latched onto Joao Gomes’ go earlier than chopping inside classily to fit house.
Slot threw on the fit-again Alexander Isak for his first look since December as he tried to encourage a response however Liverpool by no means regarded like getting again into the sport and continued to be lower open by Paris Saint-Germain within the closing phases.
Having already exited the home cup competitions, and with their hopes of retaining the Premier League title lengthy over, the defeat places their closing path to silverware in extreme jeopardy.
Arne Slot and Curtis Jones go away the sphere after Liverpool’s 2-0 loss at PSG
Slot: We have been fortunate to solely lose by two
Liverpool boss Arne Slot instructed TNT Sports activities:
“We’re lucky to only lose 2-0 as they had more chances than they scored, although the first goal felt harsh as we didn’t give anything away.
“It is superb we’re nonetheless within the tie. We will deliver them to Anfield with how a lot a distinction Anfield could make for us.
“We wanted to create much more but there wasn’t a lot to create for us. They were having the ball with incredible tempo all over the place.
“We tried to press them excessive. Typically it was working however numerous occasions they have been in a position to play by means of us.
“When we went man-for-man they played the ball in behind us. When we were in a low block we hardly conceded although the goal was when we were in a low block.
“I stood right here related final season and though we received 1-0, the sport was precisely the identical. However the recreation at Anfield was utterly totally different, so we’re completely happy we’re within the tie.”
Liverpool’s struggles continue – Opta stats
- This was Liverpool’s 16th defeat of the season in all competitions.
- Liverpool have lost four away games in a row in all competitions for the first time since between February and April 2012.
- Liverpool have lost three consecutive matches for the third time this season. It’s the first time they’ve had three runs of three or more consecutive defeats in a campaign since 1953/54, when they were relegated from the top-flight.
- Liverpool failed to have a shot on target in a Champions League match for the first time since November 2020 against Atalanta.
- This was Liverpool’s 34th Champions League knockout-stage game since the start of 2017/18, but only the second in which Mohamed Salah didn’t play, after the 2018/19 semi-final second leg against Barcelona.
