Arne Slot was heavily criticised by the French media for fielding an “ultra-defensive team” and a “system his players clearly didn’t understand” against PSG.
L’Equipe published their ratings after Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to the Ligue 1 leaders and Slot received a three out of 10.
This comes with the Liverpool head coach opting for radical change in an attempt to keep PSG at bay, but only blunted his side in attack with 26 percent possession and zero shots on target.
“His choice to field an ultra-defensive team, in a system his players clearly didn’t understand, resulted in a match in which the Reds failed to register a single shot on target,” was L’Equipe‘s verdict.
“His decision to bring on four players at once in the 78th minute also proved ineffective.”
The criticism of Slot’s quadruple change – with Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak coming on for Milos Kerkez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike – is an interesting point.
In fact the Dutchman admitted in his post-match press conference that “in the last part of the game, it was more about surviving.”
Kerkez was one of three players who were rated as poorly as Slot’s management, with Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch also given three out of 10.
“The Hungarian international had a very difficult evening, exemplified by his bizarre headed pass to no one and an action in which Hakimi beat him with disconcerting ease,” L’Equipe‘s writers explained.
“He waited until the 69th minute to deliver a cross, before being replaced by Robertson.”
Jeremie Frimpong, Alexis Mac Allister and Ibrahima Konate were all rated four out of 10, while Ekitike, Szoboszlai and Wirtz all received five out of 10.
Giorgi Mamardashvili, who played a vital role with four saves, was L’Equipe‘s highest-rated Liverpool player with six out of 10.
Conversely, six PSG players were rated seven out of 10: Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Warren Zaire-Emery and goalscorer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Vitinha was the only player rated below Liverpool’s top performer according to L’Equipe, with the midfielder somehow deemed a five out of 10.
Liverpool’s average ratings – including those of This Is Anfield‘s readers – had Ekitike as the worst on the night with just 3.43.
Join This Is Anfield Premium
If adverts aren’t your thing, we appreciate you becoming a Premium member