- Paris Saint-Germain beat Liverpool 2-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie
- Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored for the Ligue 1 giants
- The return leg takes place at Anfield next Tuesday
Arne Slot issued a defiant message to PSG following Liverpool’s 2-0 Champions League loss on April 8. Despite the setback in France, the Liverpool boss took aim at the Ligue 1 champions as he looks to galvanize his squad and the FSG owners ahead of a season-defining second leg at Anfield.
Arne Slot was in no mood to offer platitudes as he picked through the bones of Liverpool’s bruising 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
On a night where the Reds’ European pedigree was called into question at the Parc des Princes, the Dutchman chose to go on the offensive off the pitch, aiming a pointed “rest” dig at the French champions.
With FSG watching on and a season-defining second leg looming, Slot’s defiant stance serves as a high-stakes gamble; a manager swinging back as the pressure from the boardroom begins to intensify.
Luis Enrique’s side emerged victorious in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with the Reds, thanks to goals from Doue and Kvaratskhelia in either half.
The reigning European champions already have a foot in the semi-finals and only have to see out another 90 minutes at Anfield next Tuesday (14 April) to claim their spot.
Anfield has witnessed many iconic Liverpool comebacks throughout its history, and it remains to be seen whether another is on the cards when Paris Saint Germain make the trip to Merseyside next week.
Dominik Szoboszlai has already issued a warning to the Ligue 1 giants, claiming that the six-time European champions will be an entirely different team.
Slot eyeing ‘special’ night at Anfield v PSG
However, Enrique side. will be well-rested when they lock horns with the Merseyside-based club next week, as their Ligue 1 fixture against RC Lens this weekend has been postponed.
The match has been moved to another date to help PSG prepare for their Champions League clash with the Anfield outfit, despite Lens protesting.
Liverpool, meanwhile, face Fulham at Anfield on Saturday (11 April), as they look to bounce back from three consecutive defeats.
Slot is of the view that PSG having a week’s rest certainly will not help his team’s cause, especially since Enrique’s men are already so fit.
However, the Dutchman aimed a sly dig at Les Parisiens, insisting that he is happier that the reigning Premier League champions get to play a game in front of their fans instead of resting during the weekend.
Slot said in a post-match interview: “Paris Saint-Germain don’t have to prepare for a game. I don’t think it’s helpful [for Liverpool]. If I look at how these players, from PSG, can run, they can play seven games in seven days because they just keep on running. If I look at them, I hardly see that they are tired at all. So, it’s not an advantage that they are off during the weekend.
“It is an advantage that we play at Anfield, and our fans can create an atmosphere. There have been so many special times already, and that can create something for us as a club. I’m happier with that than having a week’s rest. I’m happier with the fact that we can play at Anfield in front of our own fans.”
Liverpool must sack Slot
It is worth noting that the visitors failed to register a single shot on target against the French heavyweights on Wednesday.
Considering his team’s poor run of form, Slot switched to a three-man defence and took a pragmatic approach in a bid to control damage.
However, that did not seem to help much, as PSG scored twice and could have had more if not for Ousmane Dembele’s poor finishing.
Slot is hopeful that the Anfield crowd is buzzing next Tuesday, but the truth is that the fans have little to cheer for.
There is a clear disconnect between the former Feyenoord boss and the Anfield faithful, marking a departure from Jurgen Klopp’s tenure.
The disconnect is reflected in the players, as evidenced by Szoboszlai’s gestures towards the supporters after the 4-0 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup last weekend.
This is why Liverpool must sack Slot without further thought.
