French media slams 'timid' Liverpool with Arne Slot and four players panned - 'Shadow of itself'

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Liverpool fell to a 2-0 first-leg defeat against PSG in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with the French media unimpressed by Arne Slot's men at the Parc des PrincesLiverpool head coach Arne Slot during the Champions League game against PSG.(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)While a 2-0 defeat for Liverpool to attempt to overturn in the second leg was far from ideal, things could have been much worse against PSG — and plenty were fearing another hammering.Goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put PSG well in control of the tie but Ousmane Dembele was among those to miss chances. Arne Slot admitted at the final whistle that the Reds were fortunate not to lose by more.While the French media are of the belief that PSG should progress into the semi-finals fairly comfortably on this evidence — they were not impressed by Liverpool's performance in the slightest — they also warned against a potential Anfield comeback.READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs PSG as Hugo Ekitike struggles but one 8/10READ MORE: Graeme Souness blasts Mohamed Salah and points finger of blame amid Liverpool strugglesPSG cannot be complacent, of course, and Liverpool will likely give it a good go on home soil, but it would take a performance comfortably better than anything the Reds have produced for 12 months or more for them to stand a chance."PSG, more precise and more intense, gave no chance to a Liverpool team that is now a mere shadow of its former self," was the L'Equipe verdict."Given this dominance, sealed by goals from Kvaratskhelia and Doue, the margin could (should?) have been even greater.

But beware the Reds' resurgence at Anfield!"Ibrahima Konate during PSG 2-0 Liverpool.(Image: Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images)In its player ratings, L'Equipe dished out three 3/10s for Liverpool players (and one more for Arne Slot), in addition to two 4/10s. For context, though, it is notoriously harsh; it didn't give any PSG player more than a seven."Zaire-Emery and Doue took advantage of Ruiz and Barcola's absences to start against an English side that seemed almost timid before even taking to the pitch," Foot Mercato said."Arne Slot left Salah on the bench, opting instead for a five-seater double-decker bus where Van Dijk led a midfield defense of Konate and Gomez, flanked by wing-backs Frimpong and Kerkez.PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 8: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool (C) talks to Referee Jose Maria Sanchez (L) during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at Parc des Princes on April 8, 2026 in Paris, France.

His vengeful glance towards the Green Titan in the stands spoke volumes."But the introductions of Gakpo, Isak, Jones, and even Nyoni (no Salah, who ultimately remained on the bench) offered nothing to a Liverpool side that was frankly on its last legs but not yet finished in the second leg."In its player ratings, Foot Mercato gave four Liverpool players a score of 4/10 or lower, including Virgil van Dijk and Florian Wirtz. Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world."PSG were well in control before they scored, as Doue collected the ball just outside the box, advanced into the area and tried a shot which struck Gravenberch's boot and took a looping trajectory which left the goalkeeper flummoxed," France 24 said."Mamardashvili did later save from Kvaratskhelia and Doue meaning there was just one goal in a one-sided first half in which PSG had 70 per cent possession and Liverpool's only attempt came from Jeremie Frimpong when he was offside."Liverpool were then rescued by the Spanish referee's decision to change his mind after initially awarding a penalty when Konate brought down Warren Zaire-Emery, while also taking the ball."Small mercies for Arne Slot, who sent on Alexander Isak in a quadruple substitution on 78 minutes, but left Mohamed Salah on the bench."