Liverpool manager Arne Slot has labeled Paris Saint-Germain’s visit as the second of “three finals” within a week, but emphasized that the Premier League leaders must elevate their performance to secure a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Reds returned from the Parc des Princes with a slender 1-0 advantage despite a relentless onslaught from the French champions, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker producing a series of stunning saves to keep PSG at bay.
The Brazilian keeper described his nine-save display as the “performance of his life.”
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Historically, Liverpool have never lost a European first leg away and let the advantage slip at Anfield, but Slot remains cautious, acknowledging PSG’s resilience.
Luis Enrique, PSG’s coach, stayed positive, insisting that his team would still “get it done” despite their first loss in 23 games.
Slot was also concerned by his side’s lackluster first half against bottom-of-the-table Southampton, which prompted him to make three substitutions during the break in their eventual 3-1 victory. Despite Southampton’s shock lead at halftime, goals from Darwin Núñez and two Mohamed Salah penalties ensured Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 15 points.
With the League Cup final against Newcastle just around the corner, Slot’s pursuit of a treble in his first season at the helm remains firmly on track.
“This was the first of three finals,” Slot commented after the Southampton win. “I hope we’ll be better in the next two finals than we were in this one.”
He added that the only positive from the first half against Southampton was that PSG seemed to conserve their energy, revealing that he hadn’t seen such a slow tempo from the opposition all season.
“When I think about the PSG game, we need to step up our intensity,” Slot said. “But compared to today, we need to raise our intensity by three, four, five, or even six steps if we want any chance of progressing.”
Salah admitted that he’d rarely seen his manager as angry as he was during the halftime rant that helped turn the game around against Southampton.
“The manager really went at us,” the Egyptian forward said. “Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.”
In his nine months as Jurgen Klopp’s successor, Slot has kept his cool but shown his ruthless side when necessary, keeping Liverpool on track for a potential treble – including the Premier League title and Champions League.
Harvey Elliott scored the crucial winner in Paris with his first touch after replacing Salah, who had a rare off night.
Núñez’s work ethic was scrutinized by Slot following poor performances against Wolves and Aston Villa, including a missed opportunity to secure a victory. However, the Uruguayan responded by assisting Elliott’s goal in Paris and kickstarting the comeback against Southampton with his first goal in 11 matches.
Despite expectations that Núñez might have been one of the players substituted at halftime, he rewarded Slot’s patience.
“I never like the idea of taking off a player who could score a goal when we need one,” Slot explained. “That’s the nature of being a striker – one minute you’re missing chances, the next you’re scoring vital goals.”
After a tough encounter in Paris, Slot is determined that Liverpool won’t repeat their mistakes as they aim for a seventh European Cup.