The Liverpool gamble that backfired against PSG – but might have kept their Champions League chances alive

The good news for Liverpool is that they do not require their greatest Anfield comeback in Europe. But if that tag will forever be reserved for Barcelona in 2019, it may need their second best to eliminate Paris Saint-Germain .

A night when Arne Slot abandoned the basis of his system – and, some would say, his principles – in favour of pragmatism brought a damage-limitation exercise that might be bracketed as a qualified success. Because Liverpool, walloped 4-0 at Manchester City on Saturday, only lost 2-0 to the European champions. Liverpool looked outclassed. They are not quite out of this tie.

It might have been worse, whether with a repeat of their failings at the Etihad Stadium, or without the excellence of Giorgi Mamardashvili . When Liverpool were a goal down after 11 minutes, with a different shape and precious little possession, it threatened to be another rout. Instead, there was an exercise in concentration and improvised organisation. “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,” said Slot. It was survival of sorts: there was no capitulation, no collapse. “We didn’t give up and that is why we still have a chance,” said Slot. But there was little evidence to suggest they can beat PSG by at least two goals, and three to avoid a penalty shootout.

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PSG will take a 2-0 lead to Anfield next week (Getty Images)

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(Getty Images)

Not when, for the first time since 2020, they finished a Champions League game without a shot on target. And not if they again encounter Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in this vein of form. Liverpool spent £300m on attacking talent last summer but, as Alexander Isak made his first appearance of 2026 – in an anonymous cameo – the Georgian staked his claim to be the Champions League’s most compelling attacker.

His goal was superb. Kvaratskhelia ran on to Joao Neves’ perceptive pass, skipped away from a sliding Ryan Gravenberch and his international teammate Mamardashvili and slotted the ball into the net. He first tormented Liverpool with Napoli in 2022. They may have had the Georgian on their mind again but stopping Kvaratskhelia is altogether harder. This was his eighth Champions League goal of a productive season. He will not succeed Ousmane Dembele as the Ballon d’Or winner, if only because he will not be at the World Cup, but he might otherwise be a contender.

Otherwise, however, Liverpool could note they only conceded to a sizeable deflection, bringing Desire Doue the early opener. There might have been more goals. “They kept us alive by not scoring a few open chances,” admitted Slot.

Liverpool were caught on the counter-attack too often. Mamardashvili, seeking to emulate Alisson’s heroics at the Parc des Princes last season, saved well from Kvaratskhelia and Doue, from Dembele and Achraf Hakimi.

Dembele delivered everything but the goal. He blazed one chance over. He rattled the post with a late drive. Rewind seven years and he missed the opportunity to put Barcelona 4-0 up at the Nou Camp against Liverpool, which eventually cost them; Liverpool may hope this is déjà vu all over again.

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Giorgi Mamardashvili was forced into several fine saves (AP)

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A penalty decision against Ibrahima Konate was overturned (Action Images via Reuters)

They had a different sort of let-off when referee Jose Maria Sanchez initially gave a penalty for Ibrahima Konate’s challenge on Warren Zaire-Emery. A review later, he reversed his decision. Konate escaped what might have been more plausible penalty for a nudge on Nuno Mendes. One way or another, PSG could feel their dominance ought to have brought a third goal. “We know we played a great match,” said Luis Enrique.

Had they extended their lead, the verdict on Slot’s change of formation may have more damning. Perhaps it was an admission nothing else had worked. Whether a product of inspiration or desperation, for the first time in his reign, he started with three centre-backs, with Joe Gomez the left of the trio. Slot’s plan was to halt PSG’s flying full-backs, Hakimi and Mendes, but if intended to play 3-4-1-2, Liverpool often ended up with 5-4-1 and sometimes with a 5-5-0 system in the first half. They were stretched and struggling.

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Desire Doue opened the scoring (REUTERS)

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Arne Slot's tactical gamble brought mixed results (Getty Images)

As they ended up camped near their goal, the concentration of players may have cost them the opener. Doue’s effort looped up off Gravenberch and over Mamardashvili.

Slot had said Liverpool would go toe to toe with PSG . They began with no attempt to; their first-half xG was 0.00, their shot count zero. A manager who has been annoyed by other teams’ defensiveness in the Premier League went on the defensive. It showed an inferiority complex. While Liverpool grew in confidence and ambition, their three shots were all wayward.

There was a notable absentee from the attack. Mohamed Salah was dropped, his farewell tour bringing only a seat on the bench in Paris. He was overlooked again when Isak came on, having a mere three touches. “Mo has so many qualities but to be 20-25 minutes defending in his own box, I think it is better for him to save his energy for games coming up,” rationalised Slot. “In the last part of the game it was more about surviving us than having a chance.”

Liverpool live to fight another day. Their 16th loss of the season was arguably it was one of their more respectable reverses. They are still on the brink, however. “Football has shown so many times that anything is possible,” argued Slot. But it feels improbable for this Liverpool to progress from this position.