Today in Sports
  • Home
  • Featured News
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • More
    • Rugby
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Soccer
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Cricket
  • DMCA
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Featured News
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • More
    • Rugby
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Soccer
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Cricket
No Result
View All Result
Today in Sports
No Result
View All Result

Liverpool’s Champions League run – what we learned & where to improve – Liverpool FC

March 12, 2025
in Football
0
Home Football
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


You might also like

Brentford believe they have found Bryan Mbeumo’s replacement as he nears Old Trafford switch – Man United News And Transfer News

Arsenal identify Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao as a summer target

Opinion: How Juventus can win the Serie A title next season –

Liverpool’s penalty shootout loss to Paris Saint-Germain came as a bitter disappointment, having won the first leg away. There was, however, plenty for Arne Slot to glean from this season’s Champions League campaign.

Liverpool should aim to win every competition they enter.

Even during periods of relatively little silverware, the Reds have always taken pride in their ability to defy the odds in Europe.

It perhaps hurts even more, then, when Liverpool lose from a position of strength.

 

Liverpool are among Europe’s best

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 27, 2024: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates with team-mate Luis Díaz (R) after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League game between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid CF at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

With defeat still raw, it isn’t easy to look at the bigger picture. Liverpool are, though, still among the best teams in Europe.

When looking back at the season, it shouldn’t be forgotten how the Reds beat AC Milan at San Siro, comfortably won against Real Madrid and taught Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen a footballing lesson.

While they may not be dominating Europe this season, the Premier League is still the strongest division around. To be 15 points clear is no easy achievement.

Winning seven of seven competitive games in the league phase, Liverpool firmly put themselves in the frame as favourites for the trophy overall.

To then draw arguably the competition’s most in-form side feels more unlucky than it does unjust – PSG would surely have to have been beaten at some stage.

 

PSG are the real deal

Ahead of the Anfield match, those familiar pre-match nerves, that reduce productivity in workplaces across Merseyside, were back.

There was a reason this felt like a semi-final. After an incredibly tough first leg, the players and team knew the quality PSG possessed.

Liverpool started the game on fire and it felt like a historic European evening could be upon us.

PSG withstood the storm, though, and were still able to produce 2.03 expected goals (xG) in the first half alone. That is more than any opposition side has managed in an entire game at Anfield all season.

They weren’t just a talented attacking outfit either. The grit and fitness shown by Luis Enrique’s team was above anything we saw from PSG’s quasi-Galactico era of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Only time will tell, but PSG could be the Champions League winners this year and they won’t face a tougher game than they did at Anfield. Had Liverpool won the shootout, the same may have been true in the opposite direction.

 

Liverpool are not the finished article

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 11, 2025: Liverpool's Darwin Núñez looks dejected after missing his penalty in the shoot-out during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 11, 2025: Liverpool's Darwin Núñez looks dejected after missing his penalty in the shoot-out during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Used to dominating games in England, it came as a shock to supporters when Liverpool went to the Parc des Princes and were put under serious pressure.

Only Alisson‘s brilliance prevented the Reds from conceding multiple times in the first half last week, but they did improve in the second period.

The same could also be said from first leg to second leg which, in some ways, is a good sign – Slot and his team are improving and learning.

However, the Reds needed more control in the tie and better impact from the substitutes in the return leg.

Slot’s midfield changes represented a clear drop-off as Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott replaced Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s striking options, whether that be Darwin Nunez or Diogo Jota, had next to no effect and struggled to affect the match.

These are both areas the club can vastly improve on in the summer transfer window. If they don’t, next season will simply follow the same pattern as last year and this, as key players tire towards the end.

 

Carabao Cup final conundrum

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 11, 2025: Liverpool's Jarell Quansah applauds the supporters after FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Accrington Stanley FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 11, 2025: Liverpool's Jarell Quansah applauds the supporters after FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Accrington Stanley FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

If there was a preferred manner of defeat for Liverpool, this would have been right at the bottom of the list.

The Reds now have 24 fewer hours of rest than Newcastle ahead of the cup final, and the advantage was made bigger by the 120 minutes of frantic football played by Liverpool on Tuesday.

Not only did the Reds have to seriously exert themselves, but they also suffered injury as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate both went off.

Thankfully, Slot is “expecting” the latter to be fit for the final, because his departure was down to tiredness and “cramps.”

PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, March 5, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk (L) and Ibrahima Konaté during the pre-match warm-up before the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg game between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, March 5, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk (L) and Ibrahima Konaté during the pre-match warm-up before the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg game between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

For Alexander-Arnold, though, it seems highly unlikely that he will feature.

Due to alternate right-backs Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez also being injured, Slot faces a selection conundrum in defence.

It now seems probable that Jarell Quansah will play at full-back against Newcastle, a position he isn’t naturally suited to but did fulfil well for 47 minutes against PSG.

 

Route to the title mapped out

A small positive to take from the Champions League exit is that the fatigue in Liverpool’s legs should be mitigated by the extra time to recover in the final third of the season.

No more knockout football means Slot’s side can rest properly between their remaining Premier League games, and they should be in a strong position to potentially extend their healthy advantage at the top of the table.

Due to the league games now not moving, all but three of the Reds’ matches are locked in for the rest of the campaign. At least fans can plan their title-winning celebrations now, in theory!

Liverpool’s April fixtures

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 26, 2025: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 26, 2025: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Everton (H) – PL – Wed, April 2 (8pm UK)

Fulham (A) – PL – Sun, April 6 (2pm)

West Ham (H) – PL – Sun, April 13 (2pm)

Leicester (A) – PL – Sun, April 20 (4.30pm)

Tottenham (H) – PL – Sun, April 27 (4.30pm)



Source link

Tags: ChampionsImproveLeaguelearnedLiverpoolLiverpool FCLiverpoolsrun
Share30Tweet19

Recommended For You

Brentford believe they have found Bryan Mbeumo’s replacement as he nears Old Trafford switch – Man United News And Transfer News

by TODAY IN SPORTS
June 5, 2025
0
Brentford believe they have found Bryan Mbeumo’s replacement as he nears Old Trafford switch – Man United News And Transfer News

2 At this point, Bryan Mbeumo’s move to Manchester United feels like a matter of when, not if. A few days ago, The Peoples Person reported that Mbeumo...

Read more

Arsenal identify Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao as a summer target

by TODAY IN SPORTS
June 5, 2025
0
Arsenal identify Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao as a summer target

Raheem Sterling of Arsenal reacts in the team huddle. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Feyenoord attacker Igor Paixao during the summer transfer...

Read more

Opinion: How Juventus can win the Serie A title next season –

by TODAY IN SPORTS
June 5, 2025
0
Opinion: How Juventus can win the Serie A title next season –

Juventus are currently facing a period of considerable uncertainty, with one of the most pressing issues being the future of their current manager. After failing to secure the...

Read more

Inter Miami exit in December 2025? Lionel Messi’s possible new team revealed – And it pits him against Argentina pal Angel Di Maria

by TODAY IN SPORTS
June 5, 2025
0
Inter Miami exit in December 2025? Lionel Messi’s possible new team revealed – And it pits him against Argentina pal Angel Di Maria

The whispers have grown louder. The idea that seemed like mere fantasy now carries weight. Lionel Messi, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and global icon, may be preparing for...

Read more

Manchester United initiate move to sign Victor Osimhen

by TODAY IN SPORTS
June 5, 2025
0
Manchester United initiate move to sign Victor Osimhen

A sign with the logo of Manchester United is seen outside the stadium. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) Manchester United are interested in signing the Napoli striker Victor...

Read more
Next Post
Bye! Alex Pereira returning to travel commitments (not training) as criticism mounts for UFC 313 performance

Bye! Alex Pereira returning to travel commitments (not training) as criticism mounts for UFC 313 performance

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related News

Arteta bemoans penalty resolution as Arsenal are held by Brighton

Arteta bemoans penalty resolution as Arsenal are held by Brighton

January 4, 2025
Chelsea’s almost definitely signings of this summer time to return – Discuss Chelsea

Chelsea’s almost definitely signings of this summer time to return – Discuss Chelsea

June 14, 2024
Match Deserted With out Toss! Was The Match Half WTC 2023-25? Examine Out!

Match Deserted With out Toss! Was The Match Half WTC 2023-25? Examine Out!

September 13, 2024

Browse by Category

  • Athletics
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MMA
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • Racing
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
Today in Sports

Get the Latest Sports News and Updates on TodayInSports.net. Soccer News, Basketball News, Baseball News, Golf News, Boxing News and More!

CATEGORIES

  • Athletics
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MMA
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • Racing
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Tennis

Recent News

  • Merab who? Sean O’Malley predicts ‘The Machine’ will be just an MMA memory post-UFC 316
  • Manchester United set “final” asking price for Antony as Old Trafford exit looms – Man United News And Transfer News
  • Will The Canelo Alvarez Vs. Terence Crawford Clash Deliver On Expectations?
  • Contact us
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Get the Latest Sports News and Updates on TodayInSports.net.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Copyright © 2024 Today in Sports.
Today in Sports is not responsible for the content of external sites.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Featured News
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • More
    • Rugby
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Soccer
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Cricket

Copyright © 2024 Today in Sports.
Today in Sports is not responsible for the content of external sites.