PSG were fantastic, but a tactical gamble from Arne Slot certainly didn’t work for Liverpool as the Reds lost 2-0 in Paris.
## PSG 2-0 Liverpool
Champions League Quarter Final First Leg | Parc des Princes
April 8, 2026
Goals
Doue 11′
Kvaratskhelia 65′
Stats
Possession: 74% – 26%
Shots: 18 (6) – 3 (0)
Big Chances: 3 -0
Expected Goals (xG): 2.20 – 0.18
Arne Slot’s tactical gamble
Having previously said this season that he has no time on the training ground to make tactical changes, Arne Slot chose the biggest game of the season to change to a completely new formation.
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Liverpool's players line-up for a team group photograph before during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes. Back row (L-R): goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konaté, Hugo Ekitike, captain Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch. Front row (L-R): Jeremie Frimpong, Alexis Mac Allister, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The head coach opted for a back three in a brave, arguably desperate, move, with Jeremie Frimpong coming in on the right side as Mo Salah was dropped to the bench.
Even stranger was that Virgil van Dijk was often the right sided centre-back, with Ibrahima Konate central and Joe Gomez left centre-back.
It was a gamble which didn’t pay off.
Doue’s deflected opener as Liverpool toil
Liverpool went behind in quite unfortunate fashion when Doue’s shot deflected up and over Mamardashvili.
The sight of Van Dijk attempting to push up while Konate and Gomez sat deeper underlined the tactical muddle that beset the players.
The Reds were everything Slot has complained about this season; playing with a back five in a low block, with long throws and set pieces as their main route to goal.
Mamardashvili made two good saves to keep it at 1-0, first denying Kvaratskhelia, then Doue. Dembele had another chance before the break as the Parisians cut through Liverpool with ease.
Liverpool ended the half without a single attempt on goal.
Half-time: PSG 1-0 Liverpool
PSG pass around passive Liverpool
Liverpool had their first shot shortly after the break, but it was a poor effort from Ekitike and certainly didn’t worry the ‘keeper.
PSG carved Liverpool open again and Dembele should have made it two but he fired his shot over.
The home side eventually doubled their lead when the ever-impressive Kvaratskhelia showed his quality with a lovely dribble inside and finish into an open goal.
It capped a 27-pass move, underlining how passive Liverpool were and how composed PSG were. It also highlighted more awful defensive play from Gravenberch.
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté (R) challenges Paris Saint-Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
A superb tackle from Konate was then wrongly adjudged to be a penalty, a decision that was overturned after a VAR review.
Eventually a quartet of subs arrived in an attempt to salvage something, with Alexander Isak making his return from injury.
Even with those four fresh players, Liverpool’s intensity was non-existent.
PSG should have made it three on several occasions, easily breaking against a team that offered no pressing or defensive stability.
Slot opted to make teenager Trey Nyoni his final sub, leaving Salah on the bench.
Liverpool ended the game without a shot on target and were fortunate to escape only two goals behind.
A fourth consecutive away defeat, the first time since 2012.
The second leg takes place at Anfield next Tuesday.
PSG 2-0 Liverpool: Match Facts
PSG: Safonov; Nuno Mendes, Pacho, Marquinhos, Hakimi; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Doue
Subs: Chevalier, Marin, Beraldo, Zabarnyi, Hernandez, Mayulu, Lee, Mbaye, Fernandez, Ramos
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Konate, Van Dijk Gomez; Frimpong (Nyoni 90+1)), Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Kerkez (Robertson 78′); Szoboszlai (Jones 78′), Wirtz (Gakpo 78′); Ekitike (Isak 78′)
Subs not used: Woodman, Misciur, Chiesa, Ngumoha, Salah
Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez
Next match: Fulham (H) – Premier League – Saturday, April 11, 5.30pm