Arne Slot has talked up the challenge facing Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain, claiming the Reds deserved to lose 4-0 at the Parc des Princes last season.
Despite Liverpool going out on penalties in the second leg, Liverpool’s late 1-0 win in Paris last season was one of the highlights of the campaign.
Harvey Elliott snatched a late winner after the Reds had been dominated across the pitch for 86 minutes.
Alisson put in one of the best performances of his career, making nine saves and preventing 2.26 xGOT (expected goals on target).
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, March 5, 2025: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates after scoring the first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg game between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Despite PSG’s 27 shots, Liverpool held out for their first win (third attempt) since the 1981 European Cup final, when the Reds beat Real Madrid 1-0.
In Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, Slot went out of his way to make clear that he hadn’t forgotten the nature of PSG’s performances last season.
“In general I don’t think it matters that much if there’s a favourite, yes or no, because it’s only about two games and a lot can happen in two games,” Slot said.
“I think both teams have very good players; both teams were able to show last season to go toe-to-toe.
“By the way, we deserved to lose here last season 4-0 completely, much more than we deserved to lose on Saturday 4-0, but that game it was only thanks to Alisson that we didn’t lose 4-0 and then we got away with a 1-0 win.
“At Anfield, for me it wasn’t completely the opposite. It wasn’t as if we deserved to win that game 4-0, but for me we deserved to win that game.
“But the big difference between these two teams is that Paris Saint-Germain kept the whole group together, and I think our team will look quite different to the team that was here last season.”
‘Hopefully we don’t need a goalkeeper!’
As Slot says, it was Alisson‘s brilliance that kept Liverpool in the tie last year.
However, the Brazilian won’t be in goal for this season’s clashes due to a hamstring injury that should see him out until the end of April.
Asked about what impact having Giorgi Mamardashvili play instead could have, Slot replied: “We prepare the game and if the game goes as I hope it goes, we don’t need a goalkeeper!
“But the question is if that’s realistic, because I think Paris Saint-Germain scored in all of their home games except for one, if I am informed correctly.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“So usually if you go against a team that’s so offensive as Paris Saint-Germain is, with the quality they are having, then usually you need a good goalkeeper that day.
“But for 35 minutes at the Etihad I thought we didn’t need a goalkeeper, and then 20 minutes later I was hoping that my goalkeeper would save a few, but fortunately they didn’t get a chance anymore in the last half hour.”
While there is truth to Slot’s comments that Liverpool’s 1-0 win over PSG wasn’t reflective of how the game played out, it isn’t a good way to boost confidence during a period of poor form.
Similar could be said about the messaging when asked about Mamardashvili. While we know he isn’t as good as Alisson, the same was true of Caoimhin Kelleher.
The Irishman was backed, though, by Jurgen Klopp, like with many of the squad players who arguably performed above expectations.
Slot’s words don’t serve to boost Mamardashvili’s belief and therefore don’t boost Liverpool’s chances of winning.