Arne Slot says Liverpool's Champions League loss to PSG could have been worse and insists they can still progress - 'Lucky to only lose 2-0'
By Matt Jones
Published 08/04/2026 at 23:29 GMT+1
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Liverpool's 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League tie could have been a lot worse, according to head coach Arne Slot. The Reds spent most of the night on the back foot at the Parc des Princes and were condemned to defeat by goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. It means they have a mountain to climb in the return fixture at Anfield next week.
'Lucky to only lose 2-0' - Slot pleased Liverpool 'still in the tie' despite defeat
Video credit: TNT Sports
Arne Slot insists Liverpool can still reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
The Reds were beaten 2-0 by PSG in the first leg of their last-eight tie in France.
A deflected Desire Doue strike gave the hosts the lead at the Parc des Princes, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put the game to bed after the break.
In between those two goals, Luis Enrique's side missed a plethora of chances which could have put the tie beyond doubt.
And, speaking to TNT Sports, Slot conceded that his side are fortunate that the scoreline was not more severe.
"If you reflect on the whole game, I think we should be lucky with only losing 2-0," he said.
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"They had more chances than the only goals they scored.
"Although the first goal was felt hard, because we had hardly given anything away, and then a deflected shot goes in, but then afterwards they had enough chances to score more.
"I think it's very good for us that we're still in the tie and that we can now bring them to Anfield, and we all know how much of a difference Anfield can make for us."
Liverpool made two changes from their 4-0 drubbing to Manchester City at the weekend.
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‘PSG weren’t ruthless’ – Will Liverpool be happy to trail by just two goals?
Video credit: TNT Sports
The result of that was a switch to a back five, a rarely seen formation during Slot's tenure.
And although that helped to keep PSG quiet for long spells, it left Hugo Ekitike isolated at the other end.
For the first time since 2010, The Reds failed to land a single shot on target in a Champions League game. Giorgi Mamardashvili, meanwhile, made four big saves, while there was also some last-ditch defending from Joe Gomez.
And Slot was quick to pay tribute to his goalkeeper. He added: "I watched the game yesterday between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
"I saw Manuel Neuer being very, very, very important for Bayern Munich, making a lot of good saves. I think that's what Giorgi had to do for us.
"But you need performances like that against a team like PSG. You need a hard-working team that tries to do everything to prevent them from scoring.
"I think that's what we saw but it was difficult. The moments when we needed Giorgi, he was there for us. Unfortunately, the first one was deflected, but he played a very good game today."
Another positive Liverpool can take out of the night was the return of Alexander Isak.
The striker has been out of action since before Christmas because of a leg fracture but came off the bench in the second half.
He may well be needed as The Reds look to overturn a two-goal deficit in the return fixture at Anfield next Tuesday.
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Gerrard: 'It was total domination' from PSG against 'toothless' Liverpool
Video credit: TNT Sports
Before then, they face Fulham in the Premier League.
PSG, on the other hand, have seen their weekend fixture with Lens postponed by Ligue 1 to give them more rest for Europe.
That may prove crucial on Merseyside, when the emphasis will be on Liverpool to be a more attacking unit.
Reflecting on the threat his side carried, Slot said: "Yes [disappointed by the lack of chances created], because we want to create much more.
"And no, because there was not a lot to create for us. They were just having the ball a lot. Incredible tempo and pace all over the place.
"I think you could see that we've tried many times to press them high, and a few times that was working, but a lot of times, they were able to play through us.
"When we went man-to-man, especially in the first half, two or three times they played the ball in behind and I think that happened in the second half a few times as well.
"So I think when we were a low block, we hardly conceded. Although the first goal was, of course, when we were a low block.
"There were a few times when there were players in promising positions. Hugo had a few times and moments when he was one-on-one with Marquinhos.
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Highlights: Doue and Kvaratskhelia on target as PSG prove too strong for Liverpool
Video credit: TNT Sports
"But that's also their quality. They just keep going, keep going, keep going and, as a No. 9, Hugo, or whoever it is, he was probably a bit tired, the moment when he had to show up. That's also part of their quality.
"But, I stood here similar last season. Although we won 1-0, the game was exactly the same and the game at Anfield was completely different. We're happy that we're still in this tie."
Gerrard - "It was complete domination"
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who was part of the TNT Sports coverage in the French capital, agreed with Slot's assessment that the scoreline could have been much more severe.
"They've got a fighter's chance," he said. "They've got a small chance. And that's the only positive to take away.
"If you look at the stats, we watched the game - it was complete domination. PSG controlled the majority of the game.
"I think the tactics from Liverpool and the shape and formation contained them in certain parts of the game. But overall, you look at the passes - 744 to 200 odd, no shots on target from Liverpool, that's not Liverpool.
"But I agree with the manager. I thought his interview was really good, it was honest.
"The biggest positive to take away is that they are in it. You score first next week, the atmosphere will be different. Liverpool will be more bold, more aggressive. They can put more attackers on the pitch.
"That's the takeaway for Liverpool fans and the team and the manager."
You can watch and stream the UEFA Champions League on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
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