Stan Collymore blasts Liverpool agenda he’s noticed after PSG win
Liverpool secured a smash-and-grab victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Reds were dominated for the majority of the round of 16 contest in the French capital (5 March) with the Parisians recording 27 shots but somehow failing to score.
However, Arne Slot changed the game with his substitutions with Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott combining to give the Merseysiders a one-goal advantage heading into the second leg at Anfield.
Liverpool agenda annoys Collymore
Former Reds star Stan Collymore is less than impressed with the narrative that has emerged following the clash surrounding a controversial decision involving Ibrahima Konate.
The French defender was involved in a last-ditch tangle with Bradley Barcola as the PSG star bared down on goal but ultimately after a lengthy VAR check was not sent off.
Speaking in a column for Caught Offside (7 March), Collymore said: “I think Konate was lucky not to be sent off.
“For me, it is a red card, but there were 10 other incidents during the match that you can say that about, and then you’re dealing with hypotheticals. The reality is that on the pitch, the referee decided that it was not a red card.
“On this incident, I think there has been a bit of an agenda behind it, and it has primarily been driven by the French media.”
Slot needs to readjust for Anfield tie
If the Reds play the same way that they did in the Parc des Princes in the return fixture, they will be very lucky to progress to the quarter-finals where they would face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge.
They were outperformed by Luis Enrique’s side by a comfortable margin and could only muster up 30 per cent possession and two shots in the contest.
| Stats | PSG | Liverpool |
| Possession | 70% | 30% |
| Shots | 27 | 2 |
| Shots on target | 10 | 1 |
| Big chances | 3 | 1 |
| Big chances missed | 3 | 0 |
If not for the remarkable performance of Alisson between the sticks in which he proved why he is widely considered the best goalkeeper in the world, they could have conceded five goals and had to produce another stunning Anfield comeback.
Slot will have to figure out a way to cope with the electric trio of Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the second leg, as they tore his side apart for the majority of the Paris clash and nearly got Konate dismissed.
The likes of Nunez and Elliott could start after their brilliant cameos in the first leg completely changed the complexion of the tie.
It was a great result for the Reds but failure to readjust could see the L4 outfit exit the competition and end the prospects of an incredible treble in the Dutchman’s first season in England.