Liverpool Believe in Comeback Against PSG

Liverpool Believe in Comeback Against PSG – Slot
Slot urged fans support and said team must be exceptional
Players expressed confidence as PSG arrive with extra preparation time

Arne Slot has said that Liverpool FC still believe a historic comeback is possible against Paris Saint Germain despite their first leg defeat.

Liverpool head into Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg at Anfield trailing 2 0 after a dominant performance by PSG in Paris. However, Slot said his side remains confident of turning the tie around.

EDITOR’S PICKS

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Liverpool have only overturned a two goal away deficit in Europe twice, against Auxerre in 1991 and Barcelona in 2019, but Slot pointed to the team’s strong home scoring record as a source of belief.

“In the last 50 home games we have played, 36 times we were able to score two goals or more. Yes, we don’t play PSG in all of those home games but the opponents we have had across the Premier League and Champions League are very strong,” he said.

“Yes, there is a belief we can do special things but we also need to be very, very, very special because we are playing against the champions of Europe, so that makes the task more complicated but not impossible.”

The Liverpool manager also called on supporters to play a key role, referencing their impact during the previous round against Galatasaray.

“They will be just as important as our performance,” he said.

“I think we have to be much much better than last week, and their players are experienced and have experienced Anfield a year ago when they went through on penalties.

“They know what is coming up so I can only hope that our fans find an extra gear compared to last year when the atmosphere was unbelievable.

“But I think our fans are up for it and I think I can trust them to be even louder than last season.”

Liverpool failed to register a shot on target in the first leg, a performance Slot described as fortunate to end in a 2 0 defeat. He, however, pointed to past matches to underline his belief in a turnaround.

“You want one example, two, 10 or 200? After the first half at the Etihad did you expect City to be three goals up after 20 minutes of the second half?” he said.

“Against Galatasaray, we could have scored eight or nine at home, so the amount of times that we have shown we can be much better than we were at PSG, that’s clear.

“A goal can change momentum, which happened in a negative way at the Etihad and in a positive way on Saturday at Anfield.”

Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai also expressed confidence in the team’s chances.

“I believe completely because I know what we are able to do, what kind of players we have and what kind of mentality we have,” he said.

“We’ve shown it many times, but maybe not every time, and that’s what we need again from the start.

“My message to them is that we are going to go all in. We’ll give our best from minute one to minute 90 or maybe for 120, 125 minutes if needed.

“I can speak for all the players, we want it so bad, and in one game, anything can happen at Anfield.”

PSG had their Ligue 1 fixture postponed at the weekend, giving them extra time to prepare. Defender Ibrahima Konate acknowledged the advantage, which Szoboszlai also admitted.

“Of course, it is a difference when they can rest between the two games. It gives them two days extra for recovery, analysing the game, getting ready for the game,” he said.

“We have to deal with it and we are professional enough to deal with it. That is our job to do.”

Slot also hinted that teenage forward Rio Ngumoha could feature after scoring his first goal at Anfield.

“Yeah I think he can cope, first of all because of personality, he doesn’t get distracted,” Slot said.

“Everyone who knows his history, there is expectation around him for years and he has always been able to focus on football and been ready at 16 years of age to score his first goal and at 17 to have multiple starts for Liverpool.

“Secondly, his quality. He has shown he is able to take one on ones on and make it difficult for the defenders he is facing.

“He has done a very good job managing what comes to him now but it also helps to have so many good players around him.”