Arne Slot told to be thankful for PSG result as Jamie Carragher laments 'startling gulf'

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Liverpool has a mountain to climb in the Champions League after falling to a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of its quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain, with Jamie Carragher thankful it wasn't a heavier loss

Arne Slot and Liverpool have a mountain to climb in the second leg against PSG(Image: Getty Images)

Jamie Carragher was left ‘startled’ by the difference between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, and feels the Reds were lucky to come away with just a 2-0 defeat from the French capital.

Arne Slot’s team will have it all to do in the second leg at Anfield next week after goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put the defending European champions in control of their Champions League quarterfinal.

It could have been worse for Liverpool had it not been for some wayward finishing from the hosts, as well as some good fortune from VAR, which does leave a glimmer of hope ahead of next week’s return leg.

There was no sugar-coating another poor showing from Carragher though, with the Reds’ former defender not holding back in his assessment of the first leg.

"That was like watching a team from a lower division," he said on CBS Sports Golazo. "The gulf in class was very worrying from a Liverpool point of view.

"In some ways, it's a great result as it should have been five or six. But the gulf between the two teams was absolutely startling when you consider last season.

"Yes, Liverpool got battered at PSG and they won 1-0, we know that. But the second leg at Anfield was a really close game, two top teams.

Jamie Carragher was not impressed by what he saw from Liverpool against PSG(Image: CBS Sports)

"Liverpool then go and spend £450m, probably a lot more than PSG spent in the summer. To see the gulf there is worrying. You think, 'how's it got to that? How's it got that bad?'"

Slot was actually in agreement with Carragher as he admitted his side was fortunate to escape a heavier defeat. The Liverpool boss is now hoping that home advantage will be able to sway things in his side’s favor next week.

"We're lucky to only lose 2-0 as they had more chances than they scored, although the first goal felt harsh as we didn't give anything away.

"It's very good we're still in the tie. We can bring them to Anfield with how much a difference Anfield can make for us.

"We wanted to create much more but there wasn't a lot to create for us. They were having the ball with incredible tempo all over the place.

"We tried to press them high. Sometimes it was working but lots of times they were able to play through us.

"When we went man-for-man they played the ball in behind us. When we were in a low block we hardly conceded although the goal was when we were in a low block.

"I stood here similar last season and although we won 1-0, the game was exactly the same. But the game at Anfield was completely different, so we're happy we're in the tie."