Liverpool must stop slide against PSG in Champions League quarterfinals
PARIS (AP) — Out of the Premier League title race. Routed in the FA Cup . Mounting questions over the manager's future.
A star striker set to leave. A disgruntled captain saying his team gave up. Liverpool heads into the first leg of its Champions League quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in disarray.
A far cry from when the sides met in the last 16 last year. Back then, Liverpool was romping to the Premier League title, new manager Arne Slot was the toast of the city and Mo Salah was at his brilliant best. By contrast PSG had struggled to get out of the Champions League group stage and observers were questioning coach Luis Enrique's methods.
PSG scraped through on penalties against Liverpool after an intense battle over two legs. “Arne Slot has spoken about what an incredible match it was," PSG midfielder Vitinha said Tuesday at a pre-match news conference. “They didn’t have a chance ( in the first leg ) apart from the goal they scored and (goalkeeper) Allison was man of the match.
" Knocking the six-time champion out — away at Anfield, no less — gave PSG the belief it could finally win the Champions League. By contrast, Liverpool's agonizing defeat marked the start of Salah's decline as Liverpool's aura took a hit. Liverpool then began the current campaign poorly as Salah's goals dried up and he clashed with Slot .