PSG players ‘shocked by how POOR Liverpool were’ despite 1-0 loss – with French champions ‘convinced two other Champions League clubs are more complete than Arne Slot’s side’
- Luis Enrique’s men are said to be surprised by their opposition’s lack of quality
- PSG players are also reportedly ‘obsessed’ with the second leg at Anfield
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Is Alisson the best goalkeeper in the Premier League?
PSG players were reportedly left shocked by the poor level of Liverpool’s performance in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday night.
Despite dominating proceedings against Arne Slot’s side at the Parc des Princes, the Reds escaped from the French capital with a 1-0 win thanks to Harvey Elliott’s strike with just three minutes to play.
But Luis Enrique’s men are said to have been surprised by their opposition’s lack of quality – naming two other Champions League sides they feel are more complete.
Players are ‘obsessed’ with the second leg at Anfield as they look to make up for their wastefulness in the first leg, according to L’Equipe.
They have also highlighted that they felt more at ease against Liverpool than they did in matches against Arsenal and Bayern Munich – both which they lost in the competition’s initial league phase.
Some also raised eyebrows at what they perceived to be as unnecessary time-wasting by the Merseysiders – a ploy refuted by defender Virgil van Dijk.
PSG players were reportedly left shocked by the poor level of Liverpool’s performance on Wednesday night
The Reds escaped from the French capital with a 1-0 win thanks to Harvey Elliott’s late strike
Speaking in a post-match interview, van Dijk, who was booked for doing so, said: ‘I didn’t feel we were time-wasting, we just tried to play the game, but it was clear as the game passed by that a draw was the best possible result for us’.
Liverpool were tested on several occasions by a PSG side who failed to gain control of the tie – despite the home side having 27 shots on goal and 71% possession.
Meanwhile, the Premier League leaders managed to score through Elliott with their only shot on target as the Parisians were punished for their profligacy in attack.
Liverpool also have goalkeeper Alisson to thank, as the Brazilian produced a string of fine stops to keep his side level before they went ahead late on.
It leaves the tie finely-poised ahead of the return leg at Anfield next week, with PSG needing to win on the night to stand any chance of progressing.
Prior to the second leg of this intriguing encounter, Liverpool are back in action in the Premier League on Saturday, when they host struggling Southampton.
Should the Reds win, they will move 16 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who visit Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
