Liverpool head into the half-time break at the Parc Des Princes 1-0 down, as a deflected effort from Paris Saint-Germain superstar Desire Doue has broken the deadlock.
Thankfully for the nervy Reds, it hasn’t been a complete walk in the park for Luis Enrique’s men, with many fearful with Liverpool connections – including ex-striker John Aldridge – that the reigning Champions League holders would ease past the Merseyside giants, in a one-sided first leg.
Since Doue broke the deadlock, with an audacious effort that sent the Parc Des Princes into raptures, Liverpool has battled well to keep the Ligue 1 titans at bay.
But, they will need to up the quality levels if they stand any chance at coming away from this tough tie with a positive result, before Anfield stages the second contest.
Here are the ReadLiverpoolFC half-time ratings, as Slot side trail by just one goal in the French capital.
Giorgi Mamardashvili – 4
Mamardashvili was always going to have his work cut out for him attempting to keep a clean sheet against the likes of Ousmane Dembele and fellow Georgian compatriot Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
It was the aforementioned Doue who would break the deadlock from PSG’s star-studded attack, away from those named, as the exciting youngster looped this fantastic effort over the number 25’s head, after only 11 minutes had been played.
Consequently, the stand-in stopper remains on just three clean sheets for the overall season.
Jeremie Frimpong – 4
Coming into the side tonight to take up the right wing-back spot in Slot’s changed formation, Frimpong has looked shaky throughout the first half.
Failing to complete a single successful dribble, the former Bayer Leverkusen speedster has failed to put his pace to good use.
Winning zero duels and tackles as well, it has been a flat half from the returning number 30.
Ibrahima Konate – 4
Konate has also experienced a flat opening 45 minutes after being retained by Slot, despite being in the defence that shipped four to Manchester City.
He has won a handful of duels, unlike Frimpong, but he has been far from convincing when trying to stop a confident PSG attack.
Virgil Van Dijk – 4
Virgil Van Dijk’s woes have continued at the Parc Des Princes, after the Dutch colossus gave away a clumsy first-half penalty at the Etihad.
Only managing nine accurate passes in the first half, the PSG forwards have not been intimidated one bit by the presence of the usually forceful number four.
Joe Gomez – 4
Making up the last of the three centre-backs selected, Gomez hasn’t fared any better.
The 6-foot-2 defender hasn’t won a single duel so far, as the likes of Doue have found it rather comfortable to push forward, knowing he has Gomez trying to thwart him.
Milos Kerkez – 4
There hasn’t been a single standout performer of note in Liverpool’s defence, as PSG have continually bombed forward with pace to burn.
Kerkez has barely been involved in the action, and he will want to raise his standards in the second half, to try and help the timid away side pull off a comeback.
Ryan Gravenberch – 5
Moving into the midfield positions, Gravenberch has, at least, had some moments of quality on the ball, unlike the forgettable Hungarian.
Amassing 21 touches of the ball, the 23-year-old has also won two duels for his cause.
Gaining a shock result on their travels could depend on Gravenberch sparking into life even more in the second 45 minutes to follow.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 5
Slot will also want more from Szoboszlai, as the game goes on.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t been a game – yet – where the Liverpool attackers have shone, as PSG have shown the majority of the attacking intent.
But, don’t rule the Reds out completely here, as Szoboszlai has attempted to open the Parisian hosts up, with 11 accurate passes next to his name.
Alexis Mac Allister – 4
The worst of the lot in the central midfield ranks is certainly Mac Allister.
Donning a new shaved head look after international duty, Mac Allister hasn’t come back into the Liverpool starting XI as a completely revitalised figure.
To the away side’s dismay, his first-half showing in Paris was rather lifeless, having lost six of his 12 duels. Moreover, only seven accurate passes have been amassed by the underwhelming Argentine.
Florian Wirtz – 5
Wirtz has barely managed to get involved in the action so far, but he has been lively in snapshots.
Lining up as a striker, next to Hugo Ekitike, the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man has won three duels and tried to get involved with his 22 touches.
Yet, he has been stifled so far by the Reds holding back, attempting to thwart the unbelievable quality of the hosts in attack.
Hugo Ekitike – 5
Likewise, Ekitike has thrown himself about well, even if he has completely lacked in the attacking department.
Not a single shot has been registered by the Reds so far, but Ekitike will be waiting for his chance eagerly, having battled bravely to win three duels and one tackle against his former employers.
