Liverpool are aiming to secure their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals as they go head-to-head with PSG this week.
Nolan James Mar 10
Liverpool enter the second leg with a slender 1-0 lead, but they will be well aware that their performance in the first leg left much to be desired. Arne Slot’s side were largely second-best throughout the encounter in Paris, as PSG dominated possession (71%) and unleashed 27 shots compared to Liverpool’s mere two on target. It was only a heroic display from goalkeeper Alisson and PSG’s wastefulness in front of goal that allowed the Reds to escape with an unlikely victory.
Harvey Elliott’s late goal stole the win for Liverpool, putting them in the driver's seat ahead of the return fixture at Anfield. However, if they want to see this tie through, they must raise their level significantly. While the home advantage is a significant boost, it’s no guarantee of success—especially against a PSG side that outplayed them so comprehensively in the first leg.
Liverpool looked far more competitive once Darwin Núñez was introduced, as his physicality helped bridge the gap where they were previously being outmuscled in duels. Arne Slot may need to tweak his lineup to ensure Liverpool can match PSG’s intensity from the outset. A strong start will be crucial—if PSG strike first, tension will undoubtedly creep in among the Anfield faithful.
PSG will feel they should already be ahead in this tie rather than trailing. Their wastefulness in front of goal, coupled with a lapse in concentration that allowed Elliott to snatch the winner, was their undoing in Paris. Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola both squandered excellent chances, and those missed opportunities now leave them with work to do.
Despite the setback, PSG must take confidence from their dominant display in the first leg. If they can replicate that level of performance, they will feel that a breakthrough is inevitable this time around. However, they are unlikely to enjoy the same level of control at Anfield, as Liverpool will be more aggressive and the home crowd will be a factor.
The key for PSG will be managing the early phases of the game. If they can keep Liverpool from building early momentum and silence the Anfield crowd, they will give themselves a real chance of overturning the deficit. A more attacking Liverpool could also leave space for PSG’s rapid frontline to exploit, making this a fascinating tactical battle.
Liverpool come into this fixture in strong form, with four wins and one draw in their last five matches. Their most recent outing saw them come from behind to defeat Southampton 3-1, with Mohamed Salah scoring twice from the penalty spot and Darwin Núñez adding a third.
Before that, the Reds secured their narrow 1-0 victory over PSG, which followed a 2-0 triumph against Newcastle, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister on the scoresheet. Another 2-0 win over Manchester City, with goals from Salah and Szoboszlai, further highlighted their impressive run. Their only minor slip came in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, where Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold found the net.
PSG arrive at Anfield in solid form as well, winning four of their last five matches. They bounced back from their loss to Liverpool with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Rennes, with Bradley Barcola, Gonçalo Ramos, and a brace from Ousmane Dembélé sealing the win.
Prior to that, they dispatched Lille 4-1, with Barcola, Marquinhos, Dembélé, and Warren Zaïre-Emery getting on the scoresheet. A dominant 7-0 thrashing of Stade Briochin in the Coupe de France, featuring a hat-trick from Ramos, along with goals from Joao Neves, Désiré Doué, and Dembélé, showcased their firepower. Their streak also includes a thrilling 3-2 victory over Lyon, in which Achraf Hakimi netted twice alongside a goal from Dembélé.
This second leg promises to be an electrifying encounter, with Liverpool looking to capitalize on their first-leg lead while PSG aim to rectify their earlier mistakes. Given how dominant PSG were in Paris, they will believe they can turn things around, but Liverpool’s strength at Anfield makes them tough to beat. The stage is set for a gripping contest, and this tie is far from over.
