Liverpool Aims For Victory Against PSG In Champions League Last 16 Tie

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Arne Slot emphasised that Liverpool aims to secure a win rather than merely defend their 1-0 advantage against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 match on Tuesday. Harvey Elliott's late goal clinched victory for Liverpool at Parc des Princes, despite PSG dominating most of the game. Liverpool had 25 fewer shots than PSG, matching the largest negative shot difference for a winning team in a Champions League knockout game since 2003-04.

Slot expressed his team's ambition to achieve another victory over PSG, which would mark their first quarter-final appearance since the 2021-22 season. "We try to win every game," Slot stated on Monday. "We want a different game (than last week) and our intentions are the same. We don't want a draw. We want the ball as much as we can." This approach reflects Liverpool's determination to maintain an attacking mindset.

Following their clash with Luis Enrique's squad, Liverpool will face Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final on Sunday, aiming for their first domestic trophy of the season. The Reds have also extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 15 points after overcoming Southampton, while Arsenal drew with Manchester United.

Cody Gakpo is set to return after missing three of Liverpool's last five Premier League matches due to an ankle injury. Gakpo has been impressive in this season's Champions League, contributing significantly alongside Mohamed Salah. Slot confirmed Gakpo's availability, highlighting his importance to the team's attacking options.

Despite speculation about winning trophies in his debut season at Liverpool, Slot dismissed such notions, focusing instead on thorough preparation for each match. "No, you don't dream, you have to work really hard to prepare the team the best way," he remarked. Slot emphasised that hard work and preparation are crucial for success.

The manager acknowledged PSG's quality and praised their coach Luis Enrique for creating a challenging playing style. "This is the most complete team we have faced so far," Slot noted. He recognised PSG's work-rate and tactical approach as formidable challenges for Liverpool in their upcoming encounter.

Reflecting on their previous meeting with PSG, Slot admitted that while Liverpool secured a favourable result, PSG's performance was commendable. "The result (in the first leg) was ours, but the performance was for them," he said. This acknowledgment underscores PSG's strength and sets up an intriguing second-leg showdown.