More away-day blues for Liverpool as PSG expose Jurgen Klopp's midfield problems

Liverpool are down (but not quite out) in Paris
AFP/Getty Images
David Lynch28 November 2018

At first, Liverpool’s trip to Paris felt like more of an opportunity than a high-pressure test.

The Reds knew they had a chance to reach the Champions League knockout stages with a win, but also that defeat or a draw could not prove terminal to their hopes.

However, as the visitors spent the first 45 minutes being run ragged by a effervescent Paris Saint-Germain, it looked like a huge dent to their confidence was about to be delivered, regardless of the importance of the result.

A more compact performance in the second half ensured that wasn’t to be the case, and the wild celebrations from PSG’s players and staff at full-time said everything about the improvement from Jurgen Klopp’s team.

But, for Liverpool, focus must quickly switch to a game where there can be no denying the high stakes involved: a winner-takes-all clash with Napoli at Anfield.

Midfield becoming Klopp’s main headache

Action Images via Reuters

After investing over £90million to fix what was long touted as a problem position, Klopp probably didn’t expect to still be looking for a solution to his midfield conundrum in late November.

With Fabinho and Naby Keita’s bedding in process not yet complete, the Reds boss went with tried and tested in the centre of the park for this one in the form of Gini Wijnaldum, James Milner and Jordan Henderson.

But he no doubt regretted that decision as he watched Marco Verratti run rings around his midfielders for the entirety of the first half.

The aforementioned trio represent Klopp’s favoured midfield in big games, but the German cannot afford first-half showings such as those produced in Paris.

That said, Keita and Fabinho must do more to convince their manager that they can be the answer to this long-standing issue.

Verratti yellow tough to take

AP

Of course, the visitors’ midfielders might have found the going significantly easier had referee Szymon Marciniak got a key decision right in the first half.

The Polish official was too quick to reach for his yellow card after Verratti’s late lunge on Joe Gomez when a red would have been a more fitting punishment.

Liverpool have every right to believe they would have gone on to dominate at Parc des Princes had the PSG man been sent off so early.

Home comforts give LFC hope of progression

In Pictures | Champions League gameweek 5 | 28/11/2018

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The disappointment of failing to secure a place in the knockout stages in Paris will not last too long for Liverpool given the chance that lies ahead of them in two weeks’ time.

The Reds now know that a two-goal win against Napoli at Anfield will see them through a difficult group and into the last 16 of Europe’s premier cup competition.

And, considering their impressive home record, Klopp’s men will be confident of getting the necessary result when the Italians visit Merseyside.

It is certainly not a situation they can afford to grumble about having failed to pick up enough points on the road in Europe so far this term.

Alisson shows his class on the big stage

REUTERS

The Reds’ big-money summer signing between the sticks had a rare opportunity to show off his shot-stopping skills up against PSG’s star-studded attack - and boy, did he take it.

Despite conceding twice, Alisson showed his class with some fine saves to help the visitors keep their illustrious opponents at bay.

Stops in each half from Angel Di Maria and Marquinhos stick in the memory, but the close-range save from Edinson Cavani that preceded Neymar’s goal was the standout.

Alisson won’t endure many games like this in front of that defence, but it is always good to know he can be relied upon.

Reds must take second-half showing into the derby

Liverpool cannot afford to dwell on tonight’s defeat too long with the Merseyside derby approaching on Sunday.

Key to winning that game will be showing the discipline and commitment witnessed in the second half at Parc des Princes from the off.

If Everton sense any hesitance or heavy legs from a difficult midweek test, they will be sure to punish it.

A fast start that doesn’t allow the Toffees to believe they can end their Anfield hoodoo will be absolutely vital.

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