Former Liverpool defender and Match of the Day pundit Stephen Warnock has delivered a scathing assessment of his old club's performance in their Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, suggesting the Reds played with visible fear throughout the match.
PSG secured a commanding 2-0 victory at the Parc des Princes, putting Liverpool in a difficult position ahead of the return leg at Anfield. Warnock, analyzing the game for BBC Sport, didn't mince words about what he observed from Jürgen Klopp's side.
"They were scared," Warnock stated bluntly. "From the opening minutes, you could see Liverpool weren't playing with their usual intensity and confidence. PSG dominated the midfield battle, and Liverpool never really looked like getting back into the game after conceding."
The defeat leaves Liverpool with a significant challenge in the second leg, needing to overcome a two-goal deficit against the French champions. Warnock suggested the psychological impact of playing at PSG's home ground might have contributed to Liverpool's subdued performance.
"When you go to places like the Parc des Princes in a Champions League quarter-final, you need your big players to step up," Warnock continued. "But Liverpool seemed hesitant, almost intimidated by the occasion and the quality of the opposition. They'll need a completely different mentality at Anfield if they want to turn this tie around."
The result marks a disappointing European outing for Liverpool, who have traditionally been strong in Champions League knockout stages under Klopp. With the second leg scheduled for next week, the pressure will be on the Premier League side to produce a dramatic comeback in front of their home supporters.