Paris Saint-Germain players were reportedly surprised by Liverpool’s level of play in their recent Champions League clash.
Despite losing the match, PSG’s squad is said to be more confident than ever about advancing to the next round.
The game saw Liverpool secure a narrow 1-0 win, thanks to a late goal from Harvey Elliott and some key saves from goalkeeper Alisson.
However, reports from French media suggest that PSG players were shocked at how much they dominated the game.
According to L’Equipe, the squad believes that Arsenal and Bayern Munich are stronger and more complete teams than Liverpool.
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Which Liverpool strategy surprised PSG?
Luis Enrique’s side controlled much of the game at the Parc des Princes, creating several chances.
The report claims PSG players expected a tougher battle but were surprised by Liverpool’s struggles. The French champions now see the return leg at Anfield as an opportunity to turn the tie around.
Another aspect that reportedly stood out to PSG players was Liverpool’s approach to game management. Some members of the squad were surprised by what they described as time-wasting tactics from the Premier League side.
Virgil van Dijk defended his team’s strategy after the game, saying, “I didn’t feel we were time-wasting, we just tried to play the game, but it was clear as the game passed by that a draw was the best possible result for us.”
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Salah criticized for ‘ghostly’ performance
One of the biggest talking points was the performance of Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian forward struggled throughout the match and was heavily criticized by French media.
GFFN gave him a 2/10 rating, describing him as a “phantom” on the pitch. FootMercato also rated him poorly, claiming that PSG’s Nuno Mendes “devoured” Salah in their one-on-one battles.
Liverpool now head into the second leg with a slender lead, but PSG’s growing confidence could make for a thrilling showdown at Anfield.
