Liverpool had no lack of effort during their 2-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, but the quality just was not there.
The stark difference between the home team and PSG was there for all to see all over the pitch across the two legs, but it was especially clear in attacking areas.
Though they had the better of the game in the second-leg, Liverpool just never really looked like scoring. PSG, by contrast, took their chance in the second-half to kill the tie once and for all. It was a frustrating thing to witness for Reds fans, with Wayne Rooney adding insult to injury at full-time.
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We needed so much more…
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Liverpool need more quality in attack
Having spent so much money on attacking signings, there is simply no need for Liverpool to look as toothless as they currently do.
There are mitigating factors for that, of course, with Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz only starting a second ever match together on Tuesday.
With Ekitike picking up what looks like a serious injury, they are unlikely to play together again any time soon.
That will only add to a growing issue which Rooney highlighted when asked to summarise the performance.
Liverpool FC v Paris Saint-Germain FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg
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“I think Liverpool lacked ideas in the final third, it was all played in-front of PSG,” he said on Amazon Prime Sport.
“I think they [PSG] showed their quality towards the end, let Liverpool tire almost, grown themselves out of the tie. PSG were in so many times towards the end.”
Toothless Liverpool never looked like scoring vs PSG
Had Liverpool been better in attack against PSG, they likely would have pushed the French side much, much closer than they ultimately did.
There was a period of the game after the second half when the European champions were genuinely on the rack.
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Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes watching on during the Reds' Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones
Liverpool were pressing them high up the pitch and winning it back in dangerous areas, but they just did not look like opening up the Paris back line.
PSG deserve credit for that having defended exceptionally well, however the Reds simply did not trouble them enough.
There is a reason why Liverpool are looking to add some pace and power to their attacking line this season, and that was laid bare on Tuesday night.
The Anfield crowd did not need any invitation to get up for the game, and if one of their forwards could have just added a little bit of magic or ingenuity, the roof would have been taken off. Sadly, though they huffed and puffed Liverpool just could not make it count. They need to address it this summer.
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