PSG v Liverpool talking points as Reds must attack weakened hosts

LIVERPOOL’S TO LOSE

A 2-0 defeat away to Red Star Belgrade complicated Liverpool’s progress from the group stages but a trip to Paris is looking a lot more appealing than it did a week ago.

On paper, playing the Ligue 1 champions in their own backyard with the scenario in Group C so finely poised seems problematic but injuries to star attacking duo Neymar and Mbappe during the international break has gone a long way towards mitigating PSG’s threat.

As a unit, the Reds are clearly the more functional outfit, something that was apparent when the two sides met at Anfield. The Parisians are notoriously top-heavy to the point that Angel Di Maria has been used at wingback at times (cue a smug Louis van Gaal smirk) while Marquinhos has operated in defensive midfield to offer some semblance of balance.

Liverpool were the dominant force in a 3-2 win and with PSG’s star attackers sidelined, the visitors should attack with freedom and seize all three points. The Parisians were clearly lacking an edge in attack over the weekend, only managing to eke out a narrow 1-0 win at home to 15th-placed Toulouse, who actually had more shots than their illustrious hosts (11 to 9).

A win for Liverpool would secure a round of 16 berth and put them in a strong position with Red Star to host in their final group game and you’d think complacency against the Serbian side won’t be a problem this time around.

SUPPORT CAST MUST STEP UP

With Neymar and Mbappe watching PSG’s win over Toulouse from the stands, it was – perhaps predictably – the third member of the attacking triumvirate Edinson Cavani who made the telling difference with a fine early goal.

The Uruguayan found goal-scoring opportunities hard to come by without the absentee duo though with his ninth-minute strike proving to be his only attempt over the course of the encounter.

If PSG are going to get a result against Liverpool, they’ll need more from the supporting cast like Di Maria or Julian Draxler, both of whom struggled to make an impact against Toulouse.

It must be said though that the away side did sit very deep, defended with a back five and only operated on the break. The task against Liverpool will prove to be a very different one.

Nevertheless, the hosts are short in attack and Thomas Tuchel will need to devise more avenues to goal. Thomas Meunier scored against Liverpool in September while Juan Bernat got on the scoresheet at Napoli, so the wingbacks could have major roles to play.

KLOPP’S 4-2-3-1 SYSTEM

Xherdan Shaqiri’s form has forced Klopp to try to include him where possible and that’s led him to a 4-2-3-1 formation this season. The main benefits of the system apart from accommodating the Swiss are that he doesn’t have to sacrifice any of Liverpool’s big three in attack, it’s helped Mohamed Salah be more involved through the middle and a double pivot makes for a more formidable core.

However, they do compromise on the fluidity they enjoyed in the celebrated 4-3-3 formation last season. Understandably, there are questions being asked of the current shape Klopp seems to employ with increasing regularity. Liverpool don’t look nearly as threatening as they did last season but perhaps that shouldn’t be the priority, especially in the Champions League.

The Reds have conceded just five goals from 13 games in the Premier League this term. The improvement from a defensive standpoint is palpable and while the current system – still in its infancy – hasn’t produced breath-taking football, it’s proved incredibly efficient.

Klopp has started in a 4-2-3-1 formation five times this season. It has yielded five wins and a whopping 16 goals with only one in reply. Granted, it’s not always easy on the eye and it’s only been used against Southampton, Red Star, Cardiff City, Fulham and Watford so far, but you can’t argue with the results.