Liverpool travels to Paris with great pressure as the Champions League becomes the last chance to salvage the season, amid decline in form and a series of problems both in spirit and playing style.
Head coach Arne Slot needs to find solutions to a series of problems to save a disappointing season. Slot's team will face a difficult Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain, nearly 12 months after being eliminated from the tournament on penalties in the round of 16 by the capital team Paris.
Many things have changed for The Kop in the recent past. Last year, at this time, they almost won the Premier League title in the first season Slot led at Anfield.
We lack not only fighting spirit but also the will to win in tackles, always present in front of opponents, making it difficult for passes, crosses or finishes. That is what we must do better on Wednesday" - Slot admitted after the defeat to Man City.
In fact, exactly a year ago, Liverpool just ended their 26-match unbeaten streak in the league when they were defeated by Fulham. This is only the club's second defeat in the Premier League at that time of the season - much less than the number of losses in the current disappointing campaign.
The 0-4 defeat to Man City in the FA Cup quarter-finals last weekend was their 15th defeat in all competitions this season - the most since the 2014-2015 season under Brendan Rodgers.
The Champions League is now the only way for Liverpool to regain their honor, but to do that, Slot must solve a series of big problems.
Fighting spirit disappears
This season, Liverpool has collapsed many times just after small difficult times. Against Man City, they played well in the first 30 minutes but conceded 4 goals in just over 10 minutes of the second half.
Virgil van Dijk admitted that the whole team had given up, while Slot pointed out the lack of decisiveness in the tackles. Dominik Szoboszlai also agreed with the above view: "You have to fight, work hard, always be together. And that is what we sometimes lack".
In the enthusiastic atmosphere at Parc des Princes, Liverpool's ability to react to pressure - especially if they are led early - will determine their fate.
Red alert defense
Liverpool cannot defend like against Man City if they do not want to receive another heavy defeat. Van Dijk is experiencing the most criticized season at Anfield. The Dutch center-back made mistakes leading to penalties, did not mark his opponent and failed in tackles with Erling Haaland.
The defensive formation may not change, but the implementation must be completely different if Liverpool wants to stand firm against PSG.
Attack effectiveness is a matter of survival
Liverpool also cannot hope to create a surprise if they continue to waste opportunities. Mohamed Salah missed many opportunities and even missed penalties - a rare thing before. This is already his second consecutive missed penalty.
You have to score if you want to win. We didn't do that" - the Liverpool captain admitted. Meanwhile, Liverpool's opponents took advantage of the opportunity extremely well, even scoring from the first shots.
Salah problem
Salah's decision to leave at the end of the season put Slot in a difficult position.
Although not in good form, he is still a symbol and is almost certain to start. However, this makes Liverpool's right flank easily exploited against fast players like Nuno Mendes or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
