(Credit: Imago/Emirates FA Cup on Youtube)
(Credit: Imago/Emirates FA Cup on Youtube)

Stan Collymore blasts Liverpool agenda he's noticed after PSG win

Declan Carr

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with experience at Sports Mole and VAVEL; Masters graduate from Liverpool John Moores University. FOCUS Breaking news, long-form analysis, and club-level insight across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Declan utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the depth behind the headlines — from breaking news to analytical deep-dives — to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

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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, Harvey Elliott, Premier League, Anfield, Champions League
Elliott notched the only goal. (Credit: Imago)

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."

Ibrahima Konate
Konate was lucky to stay on the pitch. (Credit: Imago)

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.

StatsPSGLiverpool
Possession70%30%
Shots272
Shots on target 101
Big chances31
Big chances missed30
PSG v Liverpool stats.

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.

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