A desperate move to shift to a five-man defence failed to stop PSG in the first leg, though Liverpool can be thankful the defeat was limited to only two goals.
PSG 2-0 Liverpool
Champions League Quarter Final (1st Leg) | Parc des Princes
April 8, 2026
Goals: Doue 11′, Kvaratskhelia 65′
Arne Slot’s back five didn’t work
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot and first assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff (R) 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)
The arrival of the team news prompted suggestions that Arne Slot was either a hypocrite or a fool to be trying out a back five for the first time in such a huge game.
But in fairness, the true definition of madness is trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results, and so the Dutchman had to attempt something.
Unfortunately for him, it did not make Liverpool any more solid, with PSG racking up 18 shots, six on target, four big chances, and 2.2xG.
And the visitors were equally unimpressive going forward, too, managing just three shots, zero on target, and a woeful 0.18xG.
It seems no matter how he sets this team up, they are not capable of competing, and that does not bode well for his chances of staying at Anfield for much longer.
The gap to PSG has never been bigger
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to conceding the second goal 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)
Of course, what this result and performance truly showed us is that Liverpool are a long, long way behind a PSG side who look a good bet to be crowned European champions again.
The Reds were supposed to close the gap this summer after learning where they might improve during an engrossing tie between these sides in last year’s competition.
What they instead have done is made a raft of changes to their squad that have not worked, and found out that their manager might not be all he is cracked up to be.
Does anyone trust the club’s sporting hierarchy to correctly identify how to rectify that and match PSG after failing so spectacularly in that exact aim last year?
Why is nobody playing well?
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk 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)
If you were to take a brief look at social media during any break in play in this game, you would be met with a flurry of posts criticising every single player Liverpool used across the 90 minutes.
From complaints about Ibrahima Konate‘s positioning to Ryan Gravenberch‘s inability to win duels – there was unquestionably enough deserved condemnation to go around.
But when it reaches a point where everyone on the pitch is getting that treatment, you have to ask if something bigger might be at play.
Can it really be that every single member of this squad is showing their worst form simultaneously, or are they simply not being set up in a manner that makes them a credible team?
Liverpool’s hierarchy better hope it is the latter, as there is no doubt that it is far more expensive to sell everyone and start again than it is to change the manager.
Milos Kerkez at least shows the right spirit
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 17, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez reacts to conceeding the equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
If Liverpool fans are looking for one small crumb of comfort from this defeat, it is that their big-money signing at left-back last summer is now consistently showing what he is about.
Milos Kerkez was one of few who looked of the level here, battling well in tough conditions while those around him were struggling.
The Hungarian is not always easy on the eye but he is committed, and showed that in winning 4/5 ground duels at the Parc des Princes.
He is a player that you can imagine being part of a strong Reds team, whenever we get back to seeing that.
Hugo Ekitike still has a lot to learn
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike 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)
Speaking of deserved criticism, it would be fair to say that Hugo Ekitike was a long way from his best on his return to Paris.
How Liverpool desperately needed their centre-forward to battle for everything and hold the ball up in order to give them the chance to breathe.
Instead, Ekitike tried inappropriate flicks and tricks instead of giving the Reds the platform they needed, losing six of his 10 duels, and wasted the few promising positions he found.
In the Frenchman’s defence, he is a 23-year-old with plenty to learn and has scored plenty for a dysfunctional team in his first year having played more than expected.
But the fact he is still a long way from the finished article was underlined in this meeting with Europe’s best.