Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has acknowledged that his team must produce the best performance of the season to ensure Champions League progress against the “most complete team we have faced.”
For a long time, the most difficult for the players after enduring the toughest night of his Anfield reign at Parc des Princess last week, but still leaving with a 1-0 victory, Dutchman knows he will have to raise the game for the second leg of the last 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
A speech in the French capital after Liverpool took a wall-to-wall victory was that PSG has met a better team this season in the form of Bayern Munich and Arsenal.
However, slots promise they will become more aggressive and not return to thinner advantages.
“Is there a difference? [leading 1-0]? no. We play every game and try to win,” he said.
“That was something we tried to do last week. We didn’t intend to go that low. [deep] everytime.
“[On Tuesday] We want to play another game, but the intentions are always the same – we are not going to go for a draw.
“In Manchester City, it wasn’t the situation, not the situation in PSG. But we had more balls and it was a much more equal game.”
Slot added: “Yes, I think so. This is the most complete team we’ve ever faced.
“We’re facing Arsenal and the city, and they’re not a big margin, they’re [PSG] Play with quality – and they are one of the richest clubs, and it’s a great manager that’s not easy to play against. ”
“The PSG has improved since Arsenal and Bayern’s losses.”
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Athletic James Pierce joins Vinny O’Connor to respond to Liverpool’s Champions League victory over PSG in the Champions Lee Ground Round of 16 Thailand
Statisticians predict that Liverpool has an incredibly potential for 84% progress, and history will appear to be on their side with the 39 incidents that won the first leg of European tie they experienced.
Their record at Anfield is formidable, losing only once in September since April, except for two other home matches this season.
“Some of them say Arsenal and Bayern Munich are better than us, and that’s what I’ve heard,” Slot said in his team’s French view.
“I think what that has to do with it is how PSG has improved in the 2-3 months since playing for Arsenal and Bayern.
“At Arsenal, they were low and waiting more, but now they are pushing the whole pitch and taking one risk.
“I can’t influence what they feel – and I don’t even know if it’s true or not – but I hope they have a different opinion [Tuesday]. ”
Slot was boosted by forward Cody Gakupo returning after an injury.
PSG boss Enrique says the tie winner will reach the final
PSG boss Luis Enrique is aiming for his second Champions League title as manager
PSG head coach Louis Enrique believes the team who wins in the final 16 tie against Liverpool at Anfield will become Champions League finalists.
“The most important game is the next game. [the most important game] It will be one of the last of the season,” he said.
“We’re kicking the back from the first leg, but we’re going to play our own game from the start, regardless of the outcome. [in Paris] We don’t do anything different.
“With us being out, our only option is to go out and win. That’s what drives us. I don’t think ArneSlot has much doubts about our starting XI.
“We’re not going to pass on who we’re going to play or how we’re going to play, but of the two games, the two best teams in Europe, the two contenders in the final, and who will pass, will advance to the final.”
Enrique is confident his team can handle the pressures at the “historic stadium.”
“I’m pretty sure every single one of my players would want to play,” he added.
“We know what Liverpool means with its historic stadium and its incredible history, and we want to show that it is a huge source of motivation for players and that they can perform.
“It’s difficult to manage your own emotions and emotions. These are not easy to prepare and it’s not easy to get to 100%.
“But you don’t want to be 105 or 110 percent because you can get hooked, so you need to manage your emotions in the best way possible.”
Why PSG’s Champions League ties with Liverpool have ended
Sky Sports ‘Rich Morgan:
Liverpool may appear to have one foot in the Champions League quarterfinals after last week’s 1-0 win at Paris Saint-Germain, but the sides of the slot make a big mistake if they underestimate the tasks they face when the League 1 champions visit Anfield for a return meeting.
History certainly goes against Parisians when they travel to Merseyside. Of the 27 previous teams who lost their first leg at home in a Champions League knockout tie, only three have made progress.
Meanwhile, Liverpool won his first leg from the house seven times, earning three return fixtures, drawing twice, and losing twice.
However, PSG should warn Barcelona in 2006/07 and Inter Milan in 2021/22 that they have achieved it over both times, even if the Reds lose their second leg at Anfield.
In fact, Liverpool was eliminated after winning the first leg of the Champions League knockout tie, as happened when Gerald Holier’s side defeated Bayer Leberkusen 1-0 in the last eight Anfield in 2001/02.
However, while it could be very stacked against PSG, to reach the quarter final, Skybet gives him a 7/4 chance to win at Anfield – there are plenty of reasons to expect from Luis Enrique’s side.
Read here why PSG has hope.
