Liverpool's Champions League campaign is hanging by a thread after a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-final first leg, a performance described by pundits as lacking ambition and confidence.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who was at Parc des Princes for BBC Radio 5 Live, didn't mince words: "That was our champions against their champions. Our champions were nowhere near." Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock echoed the sentiment, noting, "It feels like confidence is at an all-time low."
The statistics paint a grim picture: PSG dominated with 74% possession, 18 shots to Liverpool's three, and 39 touches in the box compared to Liverpool's nine. For the first time since 2020, Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target in a Champions League match.
"It was like they were scared," said one French journalist, who likened Liverpool's tactics to those of a "little team" facing PSG in the French Cup.
Manager Arne Slot's decision to deploy a defensive five-man backline drew criticism. Robinson observed, "As soon as they played a back five, it sends out the wrong signals. It is not playing to Liverpool's strengths and it is defending their weaknesses."
Adding to the woes, Mohamed Salah was dropped entirely, not even making an appearance off the bench. Slot explained, "I think it is better for him to save his energy for games coming up." Meanwhile, the much-anticipated return of £125m signing Alexander Isak from injury yielded little impact, with just three touches after his 78th-minute introduction.
Despite the bleak outlook, Liverpool still cling to hope. The second leg at Anfield in six days offers a chance for redemption, with the club's history of dramatic European comebacks—like the 4-0 victory over Barcelona in 2019 after a 3-0 deficit—providing a glimmer of inspiration. Warnock cautioned, however, "We've seen some memorable European comebacks at Anfield before... But it feels like they are a million miles away from doing anything like that at the moment."
Slot acknowledged the team's struggles, stating, "We were in survival mode for large parts of the game but maybe also the period of the season we are in, we are in survival mode." He added, "PSG was the better team but we didn't give up and that is why we still have a chance."
The defeat marks Liverpool's 16th loss of the season, with their win rate dropping from 74.4% to 49.2% over the past 59 games. Qualification for next season's Champions League is now in jeopardy, requiring either a miraculous tournament win or a top-five finish in the Premier League, where they currently sit fifth, just one point ahead of Chelsea.
Captain Virgil van Dijk, who recently accused the team of "giving up" in a prior match, vowed resilience: "We shouldn't forget we play against the European champions of last season... We have to be absolutely spot on with everything we do. Hopefully our fans can play a big part in that as well."
As Liverpool prepares for the decisive second leg, the question remains: Can they summon another legendary Anfield night, or has their season finally unraveled beyond repair?