Liverpool hosted PSG at Anfield in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final fixture, and the game ended with a decisive 0-2 win for the visitors, who advanced to the semi-finals at the expense of the Reds.
The match saw PSG dominate possession for much of the game and prevent Liverpool from scoring early.
Even when Liverpool had the chance to attack with intensity and consistency in PSG’s final third, they seemed unable to score due to limited attacking options and a very attentive, solid PSG defence.
In this tactical analysis article, we focus mainly on how PSG succeeded in limiting Liverpool’s threats and attacking with both possession and counterattacks.
Liverpool VS PSG Lineups & Formations
Arne Slot started the match in a 4-2-2-2, with Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal, a back four of Jeremie Frimpong as right-back, Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk as centre-backs, and Milos Kerkez as left-back.
The midfield was made up of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai as central midfielders, Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz as wide advanced playmakers, with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké as main strikers.
On the other hand, Luis Enrique opted for a 4-3-3 shape, with Matvey Safonov in goal, and a back four of Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, and Nuno Mendes.
The midfield was composed of Vitinha as a defensive midfielder and both Warren Zaïre-Emery and João Neves as central midfielders, with an attacking line made up of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué as wingers, and Ousmane Dembélé as the main striker.
Figure 1
PSG's Attacking Approach Vs Liverpool's Lack Of Attacking Solutions
PSG started the match with a clear intention of dominating possession and dictating the game, as well as through shooting from distance and trying to surprise Liverpool with an early goal.
They were able to reach Liverpool’s goal and shoot more than once in the opening minutes, while Liverpool were not successful in keeping possession or in remaining inside PSG’s own half, as if Liverpool were playing an away game and not the contrary.
PSG succeeded in preventing Liverpool from threatening in the opening minutes by keeping possession and attacking with intent.
PSG Midfielders Penetrations & Line-Breaking Passes
PSG further confirmed their intentions in the ninth minute when they used their possession in midfield to draw Liverpool’s pressing midfielders and then beat them with dribbling and quick passing, thereby eliminating the midfield line.
At that moment, Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia used their skills to avoid Liverpool’s midfielders and also had the creativity and the well-timed decision-making needed to provide a through pass towards the back of the defensive line, meeting Zaïre-Emery at the right moment and spot.
Luckily for Liverpool, Mamardashvili was attentive enough and went out of his goal to save a very dangerous chance.
It was intelligent from PSG to focus on the fact that Liverpool’s centre-backs are slow and push players like Zaïre-Emery to advance and play on them, while Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia use their creativity to avoid midfielders.
In fact, this opportunity became even more dangerous when Dembélé won the second ball and tried to lob it past the goalkeeper, but he was unsuccessful.
Figure 2
Dembélé also had a golden chance to score soon after, but missed when he failed to execute the volley well.
That said, PSG gained more confidence in their ability to score because Liverpool did not respond to PSG’s attacking approach and lacked an obvious defensive solution.
At the same time, Liverpool failed to attack well or disturb PSG’s defence, as PSG defended with intensity in the middle, knowing that Liverpool did not have wingers to create threats from wide areas.
PSG’s defending inside the box and in the middle prevented both Ekitiké and Isak from receiving passes frequently in those areas, and even when they did receive the ball, they were often tightly marked and therefore unable to find dangerous passing or shooting solutions.
Liverpool Mohamed Salah Impact & Creative Crossing Addition
The introduction of Mohamed Salah for Ekitiké due to the latter’s injury was beneficial for Liverpool.
Salah was immediately valuable thanks to his dangerous crosses from the right wing.
Liverpool got very close to scoring thanks to Salah’s accurate crosses, but Van Dijk’s goalscoring attempt was opposed by Marquinhos’ crucial clearance.
Salah added a lot of enthusiasm and dynamism to Liverpool’s attack and helped his teammates find more obvious passing options.
During the second half, Liverpool looked better in terms of confidence and ability to advance quickly, mainly through the wings, while relying heavily on set-pieces, especially corners, to exploit their players’ excellent aerial ability.
However, PSG were attentive enough to that and defended well against such corners.
Liverpool tried several solutions, such as shooting from distance and trying to penetrate internally using their midfielders, but lacked the accuracy needed in terms of shooting from distance.
Furthermore, Salah’s creative crosses and movements with the ball continued to make the difference for Liverpool as he got very close to providing an assist to Kerkez.
Lacking the ability to hit the target while receiving such a perfect opportunity for scoring represents one of Liverpool’s finishing issues.
Figure 3
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