Liverpool are in freefall and their performance against Paris Saint-Germain raised further questions about where this team is and where they are going, writes Dylan Johnson.
As poor as Liverpool have been this season, there was hope on the eve of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg in Paris. After a brutal 90 minutes, this side is no longer a team simply struggling for consistency. It is one that looks physically and mentally broken.
Arne Slot’s side slumped to their third consecutive defeat, having conceded nine and scored just one against Brighton, Manchester City and now PSG. It is two wins in their last eight and there is little positivity, if any, to hang on to.
The numbers, the structure and decision-making paint a grim picture of two sides who were so evenly matched just 12 months ago, with one now so out of their depth it is almost laughable. PSG are elite, Liverpool are not.
Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target in the 90 minutes at the Parc des Princes. A side that spent more than £300m on forwards could not even force a routine save from Chevallier in goal. It is the first time since their match against Atalanta in 2020 that they have managed such a poor attacking performance.
In possession, it looks even worse. Liverpool completed 253 passes. Paris completed 746 – a near 500-pass gulf in just 90 minutes. In the first half, the Reds managed 82 passes; Portuguese midfielder Vitinha completed 65 on his own. PSG completed 193 passes in the final third, while Liverpool completed 253 on the night. Dominance.
Twelve months ago PSG edged the tie on penalties. This time, it was men against boys. If not for Giorgi Mamardashvili, poor finishing from PSG and the woodwork, it could have been a calamity.
Arne Slot’s tactical approach did not work. Too much space in midfield and a man-to-man approach was exposed early. Central defenders were dragged across the pitch and pushed high up, with Konaté making tackles in PSG’s final third. Slot set up with three centre-backs and wing-backs to provide defensive stability, but Liverpool conceded in just over 10 minutes.
AFRICA PICKS: Football tips and predictions
With two goals needed, Mohamed Salah remained on the bench. It felt like Liverpool were content to limit the damage and return to Anfield still in the tie. PSG are unlikely to be as wasteful in the return leg.
Europe’s elite or relegation battlers, regardless of the opposition, the same problems continue to appear.
It is increasingly clear that this team is not the same side that once dominated under Jurgen Klopp. Instead of anticipation around another major European night at Anfield, there is a sense of doubt. The belief that once defined this group appears to be fading, both in the stands and on the pitch.
Results reflect that decline. A 2-1 loss to Brighton, a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City and now a 2-0 loss to PSG underline the drop in level.
Liverpool are struggling mentally and physically. They are not creating enough chances and are wasteful when they do. Defensively, they remain exposed, while in midfield they are consistently second best. There is a lack of energy and urgency, and too often the response is not there when the game turns against them.
17 defeats in all competitions mark their worst campaign in over a decade, since Brendan Rodgers’ final full season in charge. There are few positives to turn to: a conservative style, no clear direction and limited individual performances to build around. Despite dominating possession in many matches, Liverpool are not converting control into results. They concede too easily and do not score enough.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté are often left isolated, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike have struggled to influence games, while Mohamed Salah’s output has dropped. Some issues can be explained, but many cannot. Liverpool sit fifth, 21 points behind Arsenal, and are no longer competing at the required level.
Responsibility lies with both the manager and the players.
Arne Slot must take accountability for the structure. His tactical approach to matches has failed far too often, and it is leaving players exposed. Liverpool are too open in midfield, stretched defensively and lacking cohesion. Opponents are finding space at will and arrive at Anfield with confidence, something that was previously unthinkable.
At the same time, the players have not delivered. Slot does not make individual errors, miss chances or fail to track runners. Too often, Liverpool have lost duels, made poor decisions and been unable to step up.
The mental fragility of the team has also been exposed, with late goals conceded and matches slipping away from strong positions.
It’s not going to get any easier. Next up it is Fulham at Anfield, a first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson, and then they host Crystal Palace, who will be looking to inflict another defeat on the Reds this season. Can Liverpool win these games? Can they bounce back and take charge of their own fortunes? At this point in time, it seems unlikely. That is all before a trip to Old Trafford.
This is not a team that looks ready to recover. It is one that looks exposed, uncertain and short of solutions. Liverpool are not competing with the best, and right now, they do not look close.
Photo: REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
