This quarter-final first leg between PSG and Liverpool was expected to be one of the shocks of the season in the Champions League. On the one hand, the defending champion, European champion, in confidence after having crushed Chelsea 8-2 throughout their round of 16. On the other, the Reds of Arne Slot, reigning English champions but in a collectively very disappointing season, fifteen defeats on the clock, an elimination in the FA Cup last week at Manchester City (4-0), and Mohamed Salah left on the bench by his own coach, a sign of a divorce recorded before the end of the season. Liverpool therefore presented themselves in the capital in an obvious state of fragility, despite the potential of their squad. The result only confirmed the balance of power: 2-0, a clear victory for PSG, with even regrets on the Parisian side as the missed opportunities could have increased the bill.
On the pitch, Liverpool offered the bare minimum. A low block, timid pressing which allowed Doué to open the score, then a passive wait which never worried PSG. The Reds didn’t put a single shot on target the entire game. And the first shot was a shot from Ekitike curled over Safonov’s goal in the 48th. PSG could have scored four or five this Wednesday evening without seeing Liverpool react and really worry Safonov who had a quiet evening. And his main threat of the evening, Hugo Ekitike was far too transparent.
Not helped and not inspired
For Ekitike, this return to the Park had something symbolic. The French striker left Paris without ever really having had his chance under Luis Enrique, before establishing himself as one of the important elements of a Liverpool in reconstruction. This season, he has scored 17 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions, an honest record, and 3 goals in the Champions League. He was expected at the turning point for this match especially as he was in an impressive dynamic with also successful performances with the France team. But Ekitike was too discreet, too isolated, too often caught in the bud by Marquinhos and Pacho before they could even turn around. His strike in the 48th minute, his team’s first attempt, sums up Liverpool’s evening. He was replaced in the 78th minute by Isak, who was returning after his serious injury in December.
But the truth is that Ekitike was not helped either by Slot’s composition or by his teammates on the pitch. Wirtz was non-existent, Szoboszlai too, the midfielders incapable of serving him the slightest good ball. Alone at the forefront against one of the most impervious defenses in Europe, he didn’t have much to chew on. And if we thought that Salah was going to come and support him, the Egyptian ultimately did not have a chance in the match and Ekitike had to try to score balls on his own. Perhaps too alone at times when we felt a little superfluous with the leather attempting impossible movements. We will have to show better in the return match at Anfield to forget this failed performance. In front of his public, who have already adopted him, he will be keen to make PSG regret a little for having separated from him so quickly…
