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FRIDAY | APR 10, 2026

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Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister reacts on the Parc des Princes turf after the Champions League quarterfinal, 1st leg match against PSG yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

Slot says Liverpool were ‘lucky to only lose 2-0’ after insipid outing in Paris Reds fall flat

Ű BY MICHAEL JONES

the right moment to win the ball. Hopefully, we can be much better, especially possession at Anfield.” At least Liverpool fans who witnessed the four-goal mauling at Manchester City on Saturday were able to escape after an hour. Those who paid hundreds of pounds to travel to Paris and watch an abject Champions League performance devoid of ambition were not so lucky. Half an hour after the referee blew the full time whistle, the away fans were still inside the ground as French police held them back in order to clear the home supporters. “That was our champions against their cham pions. Our champions were nowhere near,” said former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who was inside Parc des Princes for BBC Radio 5 Live . Stephen Warnock, the former Liverpool defender, went further after Liverpool failed to register an attempt on target in a Champions League match for the first time since 2020. “It feels like confidence is at an all-time low,” he told B BC Sport . PSG coach Luis Enrique said he was surprised by Slot’s decision to start with a defensive formation. “It’s a surprise because it’s the first time Arne Slot has played with three at the back this year,” he told Canal Plus . “It showed that they’re changing and trying something new, which is normal. We’re used to opponents adapting to us, so no worries. We’ll be looking to win the second game.” In a separate interview with TNT Sports , Luis Enrique added: “I know Arne Slot is a great coach, it’s the first time they play with five at the back. “But we are used to seeing other teams change formation to play against us, it’s normal. “I think they played a great much, they are a physical team, very strong, have individual, quality players and it was a very nice match. “It’s always a pleasure playing against Arne Slot and his teams because they try to play foot ball in an offensive play and it was nice to watch.” – The Independent/Agencies

Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk, when asked if the change in formation helped or hindered his team’s performance, said: “Tough, tough work. Always expected. “I think we defended with a lot of bod ies around the box. Unfortunately, the first goal is a deflection. We get some small moments on the break where we could have done better. “They (PSG) always move around every where. We have to communicate and follow your man and take risks in that sense. “As well and wait for

A RNE SLOT says Liverpool were “lucky to only lose 2-0” after a dull and lacklustre performance in Paris where they were played off the park by the reigning Champions League winners, Paris Saint-Germain. Slot set the Reds up with a defensive back five to try and nullify PSG’s attacking qualities but the hosts opened the scoring after Desire Doue’s deflected shot looped over Giorgi Mamardashvili in Liverpool’s goal. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s individual brilliance double PSG’s lead in the second half but it was the Georgian goalkeeper who ensured matters were not worse for Liverpool with a series of fine saves to keep the scoreline managable. Liverpool will now have to overturn the defi cit in next week’s second leg and Slot is hopeful that that match will not reflect the performance he saw in Paris. “If you reflect on the whole game I think we should be lucky only losing 2-0,” the Liverpool boss told TNT Sports after the game. “They had more chances than the only goals they scored. The first goal fell hard as we had hardly let anything away but then a deflected shot goes in. “They had enough chances to score more, and I think it’s very good for us that we’re still in the tie. We can now bring them to Anfield, and we all know how much of a difference Anfield can make for us. “I stood here similarly last season although we won 1-0. The game was exactly the same and the game at Anfield was completely different so we’re happy to still be in this tie.” Despite he disappointment, Slot was quick to praise Mamardashvili’s performance and com pared his effort to Bayern Munich’s exceptional shot-stopper Manuel Neuer. Slot added: “Very crucial (Mamardashvili’s saves). I watched the game yesterday between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich and I saw Manuel Neuer be very crucial for Bayern making a lot of good saves and I think Giorgi had that for us. “You need performances like that against Paris Saint-Germain. You need a hard-working team that tries to do everything to prevent them from scoring, but it was difficult. The moment when we needed Giorgi, he was there for us. He played a very good game today.”

PSG’s goalkeeper Matvey Safonov (front) makes a save in front of Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk (No. 4) in Paris yesterday. – AFPPIC

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