There was a lot wrong with the performance against PSG, but one recurring issue was particularly frustrating from Liverpool.
The objective for this quarter-final first leg was clear — damage limitation. You could argue that was achieved, but a 2-0 loss is far from ideal. Arne Slot took a gamble against PSG with how he set up defensively, but the issue Ray Houghton has centres around the attacking play.
It was virtually non-existent, with Liverpool managing just three attempts on goal. And the former Ireland international has identified the root cause while breaking down Wednesday night’s Champions League action.
Do you still think Liverpool can turn the quarter-final around at Anfield?
2-0 down vs PSG, it's going to be some ask from here…
Jeremie Frimpong takes throw-in for Liverpool in front of Arne Slot
Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images
Ray Houghton says Liverpool’s box presence vs PSG was unacceptable
Going to the Parc des Princes, we knew what we were going to get from the home side. They are arguably the most lethal attacking side in Europe, and the bombardment on Giorgi Mamardashvili’s goal was to be expected.
But the hope was that, by setting up in a solid defensive shape, Liverpool could absorb the pressure and catch PSG on the break. It didn’t happen, and Houghton knows why.
Speaking on The Official Liverpool Podcast, he said: ““There was a couple of times later on in the game where we were putting balls into the box, and I was counting how many Liverpool players were in there, one. We had one player in there, and that can’t happen.
Jeremie Frimpong takes throw-in for Liverpool in front of Arne Slot
Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images
“And even when Frimpong in the first half got down the right-hand side, he’s done brilliant. He’s took on Mendes, he’s beat him. He’s fired it back across the 18-yard box. Where’s the players?”
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
Playing with an extra defender was always going to leave Liverpool short at the top end of the pitch, but the presence was laughable. Frimpong basically played as a winger a lot of the time to even the odds, but his positive play was not matched by the forwards.
Hugo Ekitike just wasn’t getting in dangerous positions enough, and the midfielders behind him weren’t crashing the box to put pressure on PSG’s back line.
It’s an accurate analysis from Houghton, and one which indirectly leads us to another Liverpool problem.
Hugo Ekitike needs to show up in big games for Liverpool
It’s hard not to love Ekitike. The Frenchman has flair, style and talent to beat the band.
The problem is, he is consistently going missing against the top opposition, and that was the case again in this game.
Alexander Isak is set to surpass Hugo Ekitike as Liverpool’s main man. Who’s ready? 🔥
Alexander Isak pictured warming up ahead of Liverpool's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Credit: Joe Prior/Visionhaus/ Getty Images
Ekitike faced his old club PSG and had the chance to show them how far he has come, but he just couldn’t put his stamp on the game.
As much as he has established himself as a fan-favourite, Ekitike needs to address this worrying trend if he hopes to keep a regular place in the side when Alexander Isak returns to full fitness.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox