'Getting caught': Steve McManaman says Arne Slot's tactics dropped one Liverpool player right in it vs PSG

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain raised more than a few eyebrows, with Arne Slot’s decision to expose Ibrahima Konate in a back three central to the Reds’ failures.It was a bold decision from the Dutch coach, and though it arguably offered greater defensive structure, it created a scenario which PSG were only too happy to exploit. 2-0 down vs PSG, it's going to be some ask from here… Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images Slot’s instructions left Konate exposed vs PSG – McManamanKonate’s role was one which demanded near-perfection in both timing and positioning, and against elite opposition with pace to burn, even the slightest misstep was punished.

“Arne Slot on the sidelines was telling everyone to push forward, Konate was overly aggressive in the middle of the park and kept getting caught.“I felt for him at times, I felt for a lot of them because they were going in half-hearted because they knew the threat is over the top.”Photo by Franco Arland/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Arne Slot declares why Liverpool still have genuine hope of sensational PSG comebackSlot’s system left Konate with an impossible taskThere’s a strong argument that Konate was set up to fail here. Each time Konate stepped out, the space behind him became an open invitation, one which the European champions gladly accepted.For a player unused to playing such a system against such lethal opposition was always going to be difficult, and it is on Slot that he dropped his players in it on such a big stage.

Slot was urging them forward, yet the fear of PSG’s pace in behind led to hesitation, exactly the kind of indecision that top-level attackers thrive on.Konate, in particular, ended up in no man’s land. On this occasion, the manager’s tactical gamble didn’t just backfire, it left one of his most important defenders hanging out to dry.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox