Slot axes Luis Diaz in two changes –Liverpool predicted XI v PSG
Arne Slot could axe Luis Diaz as one of two changes when Liverpool face Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League last tie.
Liverpool host PSG at Anfield in the second leg of their round-of-16 clash with a 1-0 advantage on the aggregate scoreboard, having produced the ultimate snatch-and-grab performance in Paris last week.
For arguably the first time in his tenure, Slot‘s side were completely outmatched at the Parc des Princes as PSG rained down 27 shots in total with 10 on target, but were unable to beat Alisson in Liverpool‘s net.
Harvey Elliott coming on to score with his first touch – and the Reds’ first shot on target – in the 87th minute gives Liverpool the initiative heading into the second leg, with a quarter-final place on the line.
Slot to axe Diaz amid change in system for Liverpool v PSG
Liverpool kept their run towards the Premier League title ticking over on Saturday, coming back to beat bottom side Southampton 3-1, via a second-half goal from Darwin Nunez and two from Mohamed Salah.
Diaz was lively down the left flank for the Reds at Anfield and sparked their comeback by teeing up Nunez’s equaliser on 51 minutes, but he could be sacrificed as Slot looks to contain PSG on Tuesday.
| PSG | Statistic | Liverpool |
| 0 | Goals | 1 |
| 1.78 | xG | 0.27 |
| 10 | Shots on Target | 1 |
| 70 per cent | Possession | 30 per cent |
| 14 | Corners | 2 |
Liverpool did nothing of the sort at the Parc des Princes as PSG completely cut through their midfield time and time again, with only the performance of a lifetime from Alisson keeping the game scoreless.
As a result, Diaz may well be withdrawn in order to play an additional midfielder and outmatch PSG in this area of the pitch, pushing Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai into wider roles as Salah moves centrally.
Andy Robertson return certain for Liverpool ahead of PSG clash
Liverpool’s other change is also likely to come on the left flank of Slot’s side after Kostas Tsimikas came in for the meeting against Southampton between their clashes with PSG, replacing Andy Robertson.
As solid as Tsimikas was against the Saints, Robertson remains Slot’s go-to left-back as he was under Jurgen Klopp, and he’ll surely come back into the side alongside Van Dijk, Konate and Alexander-Arnold.
The Reds bulking up and midfield will also see Alexis Mac Allister recalled to the XI after he came off the bench at half-time against Southampton, joining Ryan Gravenberch at the base of Liverpool’s midfield.
With Nunez – who set up fellow substitute Elliott’s winner in the first leg – and Salah leading the line, Anfield could be set for another European night which ends with Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals.