Liverpool FC Forum

I'm struggling to understand the comments from some as to how well we did against PSG.

As the much lauded "Best team in Europe" I thought we were absolute ***** !
Apart from a magnificent performance from Alison we were 2nd best in all departments.
A sucker punch from Elliot has given some hope for the return leg at Anfield but we hardly laid a glove on them in last nights game .
Unless we really up our game and impose ourselves on PSG I fear we could be heading out of the competition. 

I get what you're saying woof, they were much better than us for sure, but let's put a few things into perspective:

1. We were playing away from home against a VERY good team and one that is in phenomenal form. If we tried to match them and go toe to toe on their own pitch we would have probably lost, so we acted accordingly. We deliberately let them dominate and played a tight defence in order to absorb the pressure and rely on counter attacks for goals. It was clear from the start that we didn't even go there with the intention to win, the plan was to take them to Anfield on even footing in terms of result and if we happened to win like we did it would have been a bonus. Admittedly our tactic didn't work very well in the first half and we only survived because of Alisson and a bit of luck, but second half was much better and went on how we most likely planned from the start.

2. Being the best team in Europe doesn't mean we'll dominate teams like PSG, Real Madrid etc. on their own grounds on the regular throughout the whole season. Actually even if we play at home things will still be marginal against the top teams. Adapting to the circumstances and getting the win is what makes someone the best and so far we've done that.

Not saying this tie is in the bag or anything, far from it and it wouldn't be beyond PSG to get the win at Anfield and go through. Again, they are a top team and in their peak form for this season. But it is advantage to us so so far so good.

damjan193 » Thu Mar 06, 2025 2:55 pm wrote:Tbh I was actually pleased with how we played overall considering the opponent and the way we're capable of just parking the bus when needed is probably the best change under Slot. First half was terrible but second half we did well defensively, and considering we clearly didn't go there with winning as top priority in mind, I thought we did well in containing them similar to how we did against City in the second half against them. The first half was terrible though as I said, but at least it reminded everyone that Ali is (still) among the best if not THE best goalkeeper in the world.

Only thing I thought was bad was our inability to execute a proper counter attack, the front 3 was terrible, Salah especially. Half way through I was thinking how great it would be to sucker punch someone after being dominated as it has often happened to us, but the front 3 messed up chance after chance. Thankfully Slot did the right changes and won us the game.

It looked to me like Salah and Diaz were told to play deep with the only player up top being Jota. We couldn’t counter attack in the first half as it was basically Jota against two or three defenders. It’s really the first time we ever parked the bus.

Watching their forwards it did make me miss the peak days of Salah, Mane and Firmino.

Plan definitely was to play deep, think it was Alli in post match who said we ended up playing way too deep than what we wanted. That game kind of reminded me of those world cup games when a top side faces a minnow that sits back. Even when we had chances to break we kept losing the ball. We couldn't string a few passes together and kept getting nullified. Had we more composure and cohesion on break maybe we would have had more chances on goal. We struggled to keep up with their pace on and off ball throughout the match. 
I'm ecstatic about getting away with a win but regarding the performance,  we were dog shyte, we looked like minnows if I'm honest and many times it looked embarrassing. I don't mind a defensive performance but getting bullied like that for 90 mins left a sour taste. We didn't even have a patch of control in that game, we were sliced apart in the middle and outwide. 
If it wasn't for Alli this easily would've been  4-0 rout.  PSG are a good side and I think Enrique will attempt the same at Anfield,  What will be interesting is what tactics slot will deploy, he knows what psg offer and how they will attempt a continuation from the 1st leg. If we play deep then we are in for a stormy night. We will have to play balanced, it is going to be a fast paced game so we have to match their energy.  I'd probably use Darwin in the 2nd leg, his pace and unpredictable chaos may give us chances, maybe as a sub lol.

kazza » Thu Mar 06, 2025 8:45 pm wrote:

damjan193 » Thu Mar 06, 2025 2:55 pm wrote:Tbh I was actually pleased with how we played overall considering the opponent and the way we're capable of just parking the bus when needed is probably the best change under Slot. First half was terrible but second half we did well defensively, and considering we clearly didn't go there with winning as top priority in mind, I thought we did well in containing them similar to how we did against City in the second half against them. The first half was terrible though as I said, but at least it reminded everyone that Ali is (still) among the best if not THE best goalkeeper in the world.

Only thing I thought was bad was our inability to execute a proper counter attack, the front 3 was terrible, Salah especially. Half way through I was thinking how great it would be to sucker punch someone after being dominated as it has often happened to us, but the front 3 messed up chance after chance. Thankfully Slot did the right changes and won us the game.

It looked to me like Salah and Diaz were told to play deep with the only player up top being Jota. We couldn’t counter attack in the first half as it was basically Jota against two or three defenders. It’s really the first time we ever parked the bus.

Watching their forwards it did make me miss the peak days of Salah, Mane and Firmino.

Same, the intricate passing, quick pace, some of the footy psg played was great to watch.

I wouldn't say we parked the bus, it was more of a great display of defending under sustained pressure. We couldn't break out of our own half, we couldn't play ticky-tacky across the back 4 and draw the opposition forward, we were under the knockers from the word go and basically out defended their attacks. Eventually PSG ran out of ideas, energy and determination. They stopped playing after the goal. Bob Paisley would've been mighty proud of that display, it was straight from his playbook.

PSG players were reportedly left shocked by the poor level of Liverpool's performance in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday night.

Despite dominating proceedings against Arne Slot's side at the Parc des Princes, the Reds escaped from the French capital with a 1-0 win thanks to Harvey Elliott's strike with just three minutes to play.

But Luis Enrique's men are said to have been surprised by their opposition's lack of quality - naming two other Champions League sides they feel are more complete.


Players are 'obsessed' with the second leg at Anfield as they look to make up for their wastefulness in the first leg, according to L'Equipe.

They have also highlighted that they felt more at ease against Liverpool than they did in matches against Arsenal and Bayern Munich - both which they lost in the competition's initial league phase.

Some also raised eyebrows at what they perceived to be as unnecessary time-wasting by the Merseysiders - a ploy refuted by defender Virgil van Dijk.

2nd leg tomorrow lads, going to be on hell of a belter, typical European anfield night, Common you red men!!!!!!

I really hope we humble the arrogant pr1cks after all the Sh*t talking they've done in the media about how they're gonna for sure beat us but I'm also kinda afraid they might live up to their words because they have the ability.

As good as they are they are youthful and probably a little naive, I hope and expect they will wilt in the pressure at Anfield. Their over confidence I think will be their undoing. I think we will get through. If we can match the intensity then we will win because they maybe good but we are world class. It’s how I see it anyway.

If we can get past this stage then it looks like Villa and probably an underwhelming Real Madrid. I think PSG are better than those two (three with Arsenal)

Looking forward to this, we have the experience and maturity to contain and overcome them. COYR!

It’s not going to be easy but let’s face it, it isn’t going to be anything like the game in Paris. Anfield is capable of achieving phenomenal success on top European nights. A certain high flying Barcelona arrived at Anfield with a 3 goal lead. The players and the fans thought that the job was basically done. WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED !! Gini and Divy had different thoughts.

COYR

YNWA

WoW that was real close from Mo...should be 1 up tbh...twice

OMG...we got a long night now

PHUCK !