Liverpool has not had the time to feel sorry for itself. But the fact it is having to go blow-for-blow with PSG after topping the league phase of the revamped Champions League is objectively very unfortunate — a fact encapsulated by Luis Enrique’s prediction ahead of the second leg.
Somehow, Liverpool left the Parc des Princes with a 1-0 aggregate advantage in the Round of 16 matchup. Alisson had the game of his life, by his own admission, before Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott combined for the sucker punch.
But it was the sternest test Arne Slot had faced all season by a country mile. Perhaps his nightmares about Nottingham Forest’s resolute low block will finally be displaced by the shadowy figures of Bradley Barcola, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue bearing down on his back line.
Certainly, nobody of a Liverpool persausion will be counting any chickens. Alisson will likely be called upon again at Anfield, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson will also be stretched to their limits once more.
But PSG will enter the tie with equal fear. As Enrique pointed out in his press conference, the French side is out as things stand, and has no option but to go out and win.
Regardless of who comes out on top, Enrique predicted that the winner of the tie would venture all the way to the final of the Champions League. While he was reluctant to give too much away, he heaped high praise on Liverpool:
“I don’t think Arne Slot has much doubts about our starting 11 tomorrow, I don’t pay too much attention to what is going on elsewhere,” Enrique claimed. “No I am not going to give away who is going to play or how.
“But over the course of the two games we are going to see two of the best teams in Europe. Certainly I think whoever goes through tomorrow will go to the final.”
That would be a big claim in any circumstances. But it’s a particularly bold statement on the side of the draw where Real Madrid awaits in a potential semi-final.
Even so, few would disagree with Enrique’s assessment. Miles clear in their repsective leagues, Liverpool and PSG have also put in some of the best European performances, and boast some of the best individuals for good measure.
Frankly, it would not look out of place as this year’s final, and in that sense, it’s a shame it is happening so early. But Liverpool cannot dwell on that — its task is to ensure progression, before setting its sights on going all the way.