Arne Slot sent clear message to PSG that spoke volumes about big Liverpool worry
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesArne SlotArne Slot went for damage limitation as Liverpool played PSG in the Champions League, but it was a desperate move that worked more by luck than judgment in ParisLiverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Federico Pestellini/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)Liverpool fans were fearing the worst ahead of facing PSG. And, judging by the formation, the set-up and the performance from the Reds, so too were those tasked with getting a result.Arne Slot has spent much of this season repeating a similar line about teams that set up in a low block, insisting that Liverpool can't do much more to break sides down who play that way.For one thing, PSG didn't struggle with generating chances, and besides, when his back was against the wall, that is the way that the Liverpool boss opted to try and instruct his players.READ MORE: Jamie Carragher slams 'awful' Liverpool star who 'makes a mistake every game'READ MORE: Graeme Souness blasts Mohamed Salah and points finger of blame amid Liverpool strugglesJamie Carragher described watching Liverpool play that way as like watching a lower league team, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate clearly uncomfortable.In theory, a back three should work nicely for Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez on the flanks, but the former in particular offered nothing, and Liverpool struggled to string more than two or three passes together.Up top, Hugo Ekitike is exhausted as a result of Alexander Isak's injury forcing him to play almost every minute and Florian Wirtz was pretty anonymous.
But even he admitted that PSG should have won by more goals — and correlation is not causation.Arne Slot and his Liverpool players after losing 2-0 to PSG in the Champions League.(Image: Xavier Laine/Getty Images)Liverpool did only concede two goals and this time didn't collapse at the first sight of peril, but that was more about PSG's poor finishing than anything tactical. In the return leg against PSG, it needs to chase the tie and therefore won't be in that one either.Making the switch felt like a desperate admission of the gulf that exists between PSG and Liverpool at the moment, which last summer's additions, including Isak and Wirtz, were meant to address.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
Even then, though, it would not be a sustainable way of moving forward or changing the direction of a difficult season.The last time Liverpool lined up with a back three in a league or European fixture was when Jurgen Klopp only had one center-back available in 2017, so he selected Gini Wijnaldum and Emre Can — two midfielders — on either side of Dejan Lovren.When will the next time be? He graduated from the University of Liverpool (BA) and enjoys covering Liverpool's youth teams, as well as the first team, and is an FA-qualified football coach and referee.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCParis Saint-Germain FCChampions LeagueArne Slot