Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique
"We have nothing to lose and that makes us dangerous.”
You wouldn't be surprised to hear Eddie Howe say something along those lines next week as he galvanises his battered Newcastle United squad to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final. But those were the words of Paris Saint-German head coach Luis Enrique as he outlined his side's determination to beat the Reds - just days before the Wembley showdown.
Liverpool returned to England with a one-goal advantage from the Champions League last-16 clash with PSG on Wednesday night, thanks to Harvey Elliott's late goal and a masterclass from goalkeeper Allison. Arne Slot's men rode their luck, with the home side seeing the Brazilian deny Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, among others, with a series of stunning saves.
It makes for an intriguing second leg on Tuesday, March 11, something Howe and Newcastle will be all-too-pleased to see ahead of the Carabao Cup final. Liverpool will not be able to take any chances over team selection with the tie delicately balanced, and although United have been rocked by injuries to Lewis Hall and Sven Botman, plus the suspension of Anthony Gordon, Enriique's words will be music to the ears of everyone in the Magpies' camp.
"We have nothing to lose and that makes us dangerous," he warned. "It is difficult to think about the match in a positive way. We deserved to win. The best player of Liverpool was their goalkeeper. Football is many times unfair. We don't have anything lose and we are ready for Liverpool. Of course, we are going to do it."
Liverpool's victory owed much to Alisson's heroics, with the Brazilian admitted it was one of his best ever displays.
“It was probably the performance of my life," he said. “The manager was telling us how hard it would be to play against PSG, how good they are with the ball and that we would have to be ready to suffer. We knew what was coming.
“All the efforts the team put in makes my job easier. Then at the end Harvey [Elliott] coming in and scoring the goal, it is a great story for us. A great night.”