Arne Slot’s tactics questioned after ‘toothless’ Liverpool beaten by PSG in Champions League – reaction

A tactical gamble too far? Or a pragmatic move that (just about) kept them in the tie? The debate continues over Arne Slot’s tactics for Liverpool against PSG last night. Here’s the view of Richard Jolly from the Parc des Princes:

A reminder that results on Tuesday night mean that the Premier League is guaranteed five places in next season’s Champions League – and could even have seven entrants.

Last night’s other game was in Barcelona, where two minutes of chaos and a vintage Diego Simeone-drilled Atletico Madrid performance gave the capital club a 2-0 lead over their La Liga rivals. Chris Wilson was there:

Liverpool can perhaps consider themselves fortunate that Paris Saint-Germain did not have opportunity to extend their lead from the penalty spot. Ibrahima Konate had one challenge given as a penalty but overturned after consultation with the video assistant referee, while he was probably lucky here, too:

Are there many attacking players in Europe playing better than Khvicha Kvaratshkelia? This goal oozed class, and the build-up was pretty neat, too….

Here’s how Desire Doue, and a healthy deflection, put Paris Saint-Germain ahead against Liverpool:

Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target tonight, but Arne Slot defended their attacking output.

“Yes and no,” he said to TNT Sports when asked if felt his side needed to create more. “Yes because we want to create much more chances, no because there was not a lot to create for us. We tried many times to get them high, but they were able to play through us when we went man-to-man. I think that happened in the second half as well. There were a few times with players in promising positions.”

Arne Slot has admitted to TNT Sports that his side are fortunate not to be further behind in the tie.

“If you reflect on the whole game I think we are lucky with only losing 2-0. The first goal felt hard. I think it was very good for us we are still in the tie, we can bring them to Anfield and we know how good Anfield can be for us.”