Arne Slot call fails to pay off as Liverpool outclassed in PSG loss - 5 talking points

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PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 2-0 LIVERPOOL: Fine goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia mean Liverpool have it all to do in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-finalsLiverpool have a mountain to climb in order to keep their season alive after they were comprehensively beaten 2-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.The reigning European champions swarmed over their challengers from the off and Liverpool's resistance lasted just 11 minutes; Desire Doue wriggled away from two red shirts with a smart turn in the corner of the penalty area before unleashing a strike which looped up over Giorgi Mamardashvili courtesy of a deflection from the unfortunate Ryan Gravenberch.Khvicha Kvaratskhelia twice went close to doubling PSG's lead during the remainder of a one-sided first half where Liverpool failed to muster a single shot.Arne Slot's men did improve after the break as they went in search of an equaliser ahead of next week's return leg at Anfield. Here are Mirror Football's talking points...READ MORE: Liverpool star picked out by Steven Gerrard after 'cruel PSG goalREAD MORE: Managerial appointment 'changed everything' for Mohamed Salah as Liverpool legend handed blow1) Slot rolls the diceWith the memory of the weekend's implosion against Manchester City still haunting them, Liverpool lined up with a back three at the Parc des Princes, with Joe Gomez alongside Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong operating as wing-backs.Unfortunately, that extra body did not translate to an improved defensive performance.

But a team of PSG's quality heading to Anfield with a two-goal advantage feels daunting, even if not totally insurmountable.2) A tale of two attacksLast month's announcement that Mo Salah would be leaving Liverpool this summer marked the end of an era. But when it comes to a frontline that can rival Europe's elite, like PSG, it feels like Liverpool are now the ones playing catch up.3) PSG a cut aboveChalking up consecutive European titles is no mean feat.

And that's why a second Champions League trophy, just 12 months after the first, is looking more and more like a formality.4) Isak gives Slot a boostIt's been a challenging campaign for Liverpool and Slot, but the sight of Isak back on the pitch will be a big boost for everyone in red.The Sweden striker made his first appearance in three-and-a-half months in the final few minutes second half as Liverpool went in search of a goal. And while that didn't come, the prospect of Isak featuring for longer in the return leg is a major plus for the Reds.5) Salah's long goodbyeLiverpool's big-game player for so long, the fact that few eyebrows were raised when Salah was named on the bench for Wednesday night's seismic encounter in Paris sums up how dramatically the Egyptian forward's form has declined this term.And if there were any doubts over Salah's standing in this Liverpool team, the fact he was not one of the four changes Slot made in the 78th minute with the Reds needing a goal says it all.After a poor showing against Manchester City, there must surely now be a genuine chance that Salah's farewell tour will largely consist of him warming the bench.