Slot Admits Liverpool Fortunate in Paris Defeat, Eyes Anfield Response
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot conceded his side were ‘lucky’ to escape with only a 2-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final first leg, acknowledging the holders created enough chances to score more.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Slot reflected on the match: ‘If you reflect on the whole game, I think we were lucky with only losing 2-0, because they had more chances than the goals they scored.
‘Although the first goal felt hard, because they hadn’t given anything away, and then a deflected shot went in, but 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.’
Slot praised goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili for his crucial saves, comparing his performance to Manuel Neuer’s display for Bayern against Real Madrid: ‘You need performances like that against a team like Paris Saint-Germain; 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 defeat marked a worrying trend for Liverpool, who failed to register a shot on target in a Champions League game for the first time since November 2020 against Atalanta.
It also extended their run of four consecutive away losses across all competitions, their worst sequence since April 2012, with defeats to Galatasaray, Brighton, Manchester City, and now PSG.
Despite the setback, Slot insisted the tie remains alive, banking on Anfield’s atmosphere to inspire a turnaround in the second leg.
