The memory of a narrow defeat still burns brightly for Liverpool manager Arne Slot. As his team prepares to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals, he subtly reminded PSG of how close Liverpool pushed them last season.
Liverpool secured their place in the last eight with a dominant 4-0 victory over Galatasaray at Anfield, overturning a first-leg deficit with a display of controlled aggression. Dominik Szoboszlai ignited the comeback with a precisely executed set-piece goal, leveling the aggregate score before halftime.
The floodgates then opened. Hugo Ekitike extended Liverpool’s lead, followed swiftly by a close-range strike from Ryan Gravenberch. Even a missed penalty couldn’t derail their momentum, as Mohamed Salah capped off the night with a stunning goal.
This sets up a compelling rematch against the defending champions, PSG, who convincingly overcame Chelsea in the previous round. Last year’s encounter ended in penalty shootout heartbreak for Liverpool, despite a hard-fought 1-0 win in the first leg on PSG’s home turf.
Slot believes his team’s current form will give PSG pause. He pointed out that Liverpool was the only side to extend PSG to extra time and penalties last season, a fact he hopes will resonate as PSG prepares for their upcoming challenge.
While acknowledging PSG’s continued strength, Liverpool legend Steve McManaman suggests the French giants aren’t quite the imposing force they were a year ago. He noted recent struggles against Monaco and Newcastle, hinting at a vulnerability that Liverpool could exploit.
McManaman believes PSG’s current form is less consistent than in previous seasons, though he concedes they are capable of peaking at the right time. Their dominance, he argues, has diminished, presenting a potential opening for Liverpool.
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard emphasized the need for perfection from his former club. He stated that Liverpool must replicate the intensity and commitment displayed last season, with every player performing at their absolute best to have a chance of progressing to the semi-finals.
Gerrard believes that if Liverpool can reach that level of performance, they are capable of delivering a truly competitive tie over two legs, potentially turning the tables on the reigning champions.
