Liverpool’s Champions League Exit to PSG: Video Analysis of What Went Wrong | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Champions League Exit: What Went Wrong Against PSG?

Liverpool’s Champions League journey came to an end at the hands of PSG, and while fans might prefer to move on and focus on the upcoming EFL Cup Final against Newcastle, it’s worth taking a moment to analyse what went wrong. As PanenkaLFC put it, “Football is a weird game, guys. We pulled off a win in Paris when we probably didn’t deserve to, and ironically that came back to haunt us at Anfield where we actually did deserve to win.”

So, what happened? Why did Liverpool fail to progress despite a bright start? And what does this mean for Arne Slot’s side going forward?

Liverpool’s Tactical Approach and Pressing Issues

PanenkaLFC dissected Liverpool’s tactical setup, noting that while Arne Slot’s starting lineup was unsurprising, there were issues in execution. “Although some might argue Slot got it wrong, on paper that’s our strongest eleven,” he explained. The backline featured Alisson, Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, while the midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai provided structure. However, up front, the decision to start Diogo Jota over Darwin Núñez raised some eyebrows.

Liverpool’s pressing was intense but lacked synchronisation. “Take this moment for example,” PanenkaLFC highlighted. “You can see Mac Allister following his man as he dropped deep. Instead of holding his position, though, he kept pushing forward, pressing the centre-back, then the left-back, and even closing in on the goalkeeper. The issue? The rest of the team didn’t react in time, which left gaps PSG could exploit.”

Despite their pressing efforts, Liverpool struggled to maintain a structured defensive block. PSG, using their 3-2-5 build-up, constantly rotated players like Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and Ousmane Dembélé to pull Liverpool’s shape apart. “We weren’t surprised at all when Dembélé found himself in acres of space,” PanenkaLFC pointed out. “Our backline didn’t step up to support the press, leaving a dangerous gap in front of them.” This hesitation allowed PSG to break through, leading to their crucial goal.

Missed Opportunities and Tactical Adjustments

Liverpool had their chances. “One goal at that point could have changed everything,” PanenkaLFC noted, referencing Mohamed Salah’s early chance after skinning Nuno Mendes. However, Liverpool’s direct attacking approach often lacked structure. “Instead of focusing on creating structured build-up sequences like up-back-and-through patterns, we leaned too heavily on long balls and quick transitions.”

In the second half, Slot made adjustments, with Van Dijk and Konaté stepping out of the backline more aggressively to close spaces. “That change helped us sustain pressure much better after the break,” PanenkaLFC explained. However, pressing from the front remained problematic. “Salah was tasked with jumping between Achraf Hakimi and Mendes, but the sheer distance he had to cover made it too easy for PSG to find Mendes as the outlet.”

Arne Slot’s Decisions Under Scrutiny

While PanenkaLFC emphasised that Slot still has the full support of fans, some of his choices in this match were questionable. “The lack of solutions to disrupt PSG’s build-up, the choice to start Jota over Darwin, and the substitutions that saw two of our best penalty takers – Szoboszlai and Mac Allister – come off, all of these decisions left much to be desired.”

That being said, he was clear that this isn’t cause for panic. “Let’s not forget how many times he’s bailed us out this season with his in-game management and substitutions,” he reminded viewers. This match will serve as a learning curve for Slot as he continues to mould the team in his vision.

Looking Ahead: The EFL Cup Final and Premier League Title Race

Despite the disappointment, this result doesn’t define Liverpool’s season. As PanenkaLFC put it, “This defeat is not a catastrophe. We weren’t eliminated by the PSG of recent years – the one that just stockpiles superstars and hopes for the best. This PSG side is different. They have a real structure, a clear identity, and a legitimate shot at reaching the final – maybe even winning it all.”

Liverpool still have everything to play for. “We still have the league title in our hands,” PanenkaLFC reminded fans. “And we’re in a position to wrap it up sooner rather than later – a title, by the way, that no one realistically dreamed of at the start of the campaign.”

So, while the Champions League dream is over for this season, Liverpool’s journey is far from finished. “A setback? Yes. But a disaster? Far from it.”