Slot Calls For Anfield Lift As Liverpool Chase PSG Comeback

‎Arne Slot acknowledged that Liverpool were in survival mode during their defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, and stressed they will need Anfield’s support to raise their level in next week’s second leg.

‎Liverpool were fortunate to escape with only a 2–0 loss after being outplayed for long spells. Ousmane Dembélé, who famously missed a major chance for Barcelona against Jürgen Klopp’s side in 2019. Squandered several opportunities for PSG.

‎Goals from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put the European champions firmly in control of the tie. Slot insisted Liverpool still has hope of reaching the semi-finals despite the deficit.

‎The Liverpool head coach said, “Last season at Anfield [in the last-16 second leg] we played a completely different game and after 30 minutes. We could have been 2-0 up. But we will need to have a better performance and we definitely need our fans. To help us create an atmosphere where we can rise to a better level than we did today.

‎“We were in survival mode for large parts of this game, but maybe also in the period of the season. We are in survival mode.

‎“You try to find ways to make sure their qualities are not seen that much but that’s really hard against this team. Last season we were in survival mode as well [in the first leg in Paris].

Arne Slot Believes

‎PSG was the better team but we didn’t give up and that’s why we have a chance now still in this tie. They kept us alive by not scoring a few open chances. And now we can bring the tie back to Anfield.”

‎Slot believes Liverpool can rouse themselves in the manner of their win over Galatasaray in the last 16 of the competition. Despite being second best by some distance in Paris.

‎“Football has shown so many times that everything is possible,” he added.

‎“Red cards, incidents, penalties yes or no, and don’t forget that Anfield can do a lot. Our fans do make a big difference for us.

‎“But that’s also needed because I think it was completely clear today. We need our fans more than ever if we face this Paris Saint-Germain team.”

‎Luis Enrique, the PSG coach, said he expected his team to “suffer” at Anfield but not to alter their positive approach away from home. “I don’t think there’s such a big gap between the two teams,” he said.

‎“We know that it will be very difficult to play at Anfield. I have done it as a player and as a coach and it is always difficult. There will be suffering during this game but our mentality is always the same whatever the stadium. Whatever the team, we are going there to win and to qualify.”