Inefficient PSG allows Liverpool a chance in Champions League
PARIS — Ousmane Dembélé has a track record of providing Liverpool with hope when the situation appears dire in a UEFA Champions League knockout match, but the Paris Saint-Germain forward may escape this time.
In 2019, while Barcelona led 3-0 in the closing moments of their semifinal first leg against Liverpool at Camp Nou, Dembélé squandered a straightforward opportunity to extend the lead to 4-0 by shooting over the crossbar. Lionel Messi stood beside him, angrily chastising his then-teammate for failing to secure the tie.
The subsequent events are well-known. Liverpool staged one of the most remarkable second-leg comebacks in Champions League history, winning 4-0 at Anfield and advancing to the final, where they triumphed over Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid to claim the European Cup for the sixth time.
Fast forward seven years, and Dembélé was again missing clear opportunities, failing to convert a hat trick of chances that could have extinguished Liverpool’s hopes in the quarterfinal first leg at Parc des Princes. This leaves Arne Slot’s team with only a 2-0 deficit to overcome, rather than what could have easily been a 5-0 rout against the reigning European champions.
However, before Dembélé and PSG coach Luis Enrique spend sleepless nights contemplating what could have been ahead of their trip to Anfield for next Tuesday’s return match, there is a significant difference they should not overlook.
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It was Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool that accomplished the seemingly impossible against Barcelona, but this time, it is Slot’s team that Dembélé has granted a second chance, and they demonstrated in Paris that they are entirely different from Klopp’s squad in every aspect. Liverpool left the French capital with their Champions League aspirations hanging by a thread due to their performance.
While Klopp’s team lost 3-0 to Barcelona after attempting to win at Camp Nou, Slot’s Liverpool had a singular goal against PSG: to keep the scoreline manageable enough to provide a chance in the second leg.
Ultimately, they achieved that goal, but only just. Had Dembélé been more clinical, the second leg would have been rendered inconsequential with no hope of another so-called Anfield glory night.
Slot will contend that the outcome validated his choice to shift from his usual back four to a three-man defense, with Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong positioned as wing backs. Mohamed Salah did not start and did not even come off the bench, as Slot opted for his new formation to provide greater stability and to create more time and space for Florian Wirtz.
This strategy seemed sound in theory, but in practice, neither goal was accomplished. Liverpool were outplayed by PSG, and Wirtz had minimal involvement.
“[PSG] tore us apart at times,” Slot told reporters. “Every tactic has been attempted here, but the outcome remains the same, with Paris Saint-Germain overwhelming their opponents.”
“They possess numerous weapons, making them extremely challenging to face. We were in survival mode, but they kept us in the game by missing their opportunities.”
Liverpool were notably passive, defensive, and negative. For fans who cherish memories of the Klopp era, this resembled a betrayal of the former manager’s legacy. His self-described “heavy metal football” has gradually been replaced by Slot, but it was turned down to a whisper in this match.
Liverpool contributed little offensively. They recorded just 26% possession — PSG completed 744 passes compared to Liverpool’s 253 — and managed three shots against PSG’s 18. None of Liverpool’s attempts were on target, and with only nine touches in the penalty area, it is challenging to test the opposing goalkeeper.
When Désiré Doué scored to put PSG ahead in the 11th minute, it appeared that Liverpool were in for a long evening. That proved to be the case, but PSG’s inability to capitalize on their dominance kept Liverpool in contention.
Numerous chances fell to PSG. Doué squandered another opportunity, Dembélé was repeatedly profligate, and PSG occasionally overplayed, opting for unnecessary flicks and tricks when a more direct approach could have applied significant pressure on Liverpool.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia finally extended PSG’s lead in the 65th minute with a solo goal after being set up by João Neves. This moment suggested that the floodgates might open. However, Liverpool narrowly escaped in the 70th minute when a penalty was overturned following a VAR review that determined center back Ibrahima Konaté had won the ball in a challenge with PSG midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery.
Liverpool were on the brink, anticipating the decisive blow, but Dembélé missed two more opportunities. The 2-0 final score felt more like a victory for Slot’s side than a defeat.
Nonetheless, this marks three consecutive losses for Liverpool across all competitions, indicating that they are a team in transition. They are also a team in decline, and any lingering memories of Klopp’s golden era were extinguished in Paris.
If Klopp’s squad were preparing for next week’s second leg, anything could be possible. But that is not the case with this team. Slot’s Liverpool have become everything that Klopp’s side was not, allowing Dembélé to rest easy this time.
