Liverpool’s recent performance has been met with so much criticism after they lose to PSG in the Champions League. Former defender, Jamie Carragher spoke about it insisting that it was far below the standards of the club.
According to updates from page 7M CN, Liverpool entered the match with so much at stake and they needed to put up a good fight to win but they fell short and were defeated by PSG.
Tactical decisions created major imbalance
One of the things talked about was how Arne Slot deployed a defensive system of play ahead of the match. He played with 5 defenders in that game and Carragher believed that using that formation made the players to be forced to cover more space on the pitch and it was an imbalance that PSG capitalized on.
Liverpool struggled to match PSG intensity
From the first minute, PSG were in the front sit, dominating possession and creating numerous chances. Liverpool on the other hand could not progress the ball into dangerous positions.
Carragher said that Liverpool were lucky that they did not concede more than 2 goals because there was a great gulf in quality between them and PSG and the French team would have scored more.
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Defensive system exposed key weaknesses
The use of 5 defenders was supposed to make Liverpool solid but then PSG found a way to pull the players out of position and then to exploit the open spaces on the field.
According to Carragher, the defenders struggled in wide areas because they were not used to the system and then there was no defensive cohesion so they could not maintain their shape throughout the match.
Individual performances have raised concerns among Liverpool players
It was not the tactics that were off alone when Liverpool lost to PSG. Some players were not playing at their best and it cost the team. Carragher noted that Virgil van Dijk was forced to play a more demanding role in the defensive system.
And this hindered his abilities to control the game and organize the backline like he is known to do.
The midfield is currently lacking control and creativity
Liverpool’s midfield was another area that created their downfall. Because they did not have midfielders who could dictate the game and tempo, PSG were able to prevent them from creating chances from open play.
The lack of control was why Liverpool could not do so much with attacking and why PSG were the dominant team.
Attacking line failed to make impact
Liverpool’s attacking line was ineffective against a very composed and organized PSG defence line. For Carragher, Liverpool’s attack weren’t sharp as they had limited shots and still were poor in taking their chances when they came.
The psychological impact of failure over multiple rounds
The result does not just affect Liverpool’s chances in the competition but affects the team’s confidence going forward.
Carragher believes that such a display is going to have a long-term consequence if it is not quickly addressed. It is very important to maintain confidence and morale ahead of the 2nd leg.
PSG showcased superior quality
Liverpool may have made mistakes but credit is due to PSG as they really took the bull by the horn. Their win was not by chance as it was based on the fact that they could control possession, create chances, and execute their game plan,
Players such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia played a key role in breaking the Liverpool defense and his contributions helped PSG immensely.
What Liverpool must improve
There are three things Liverpool have to do to turn this around - get a better tactical approach, improve individual performance, and become more coordinated.
Carragher’s criticism serves as a reminder that even as a top club, there is need for adaptation to modern football if they are going to keep playing at top level.
Conclusion
Liverpool losing to PSG showed so much tactical and individual performance related lapses. With the criticism from Jamie Carragher, the team can see what it is they have to do and where they have to improve.
