PSG players arrive at Anfield 'frustrated' as Liverpool looks to make history

Paris Saint-Germain players express frustration over missed chances in their 2-0 first leg win, with Liverpool hosting the Champions League last-16 second leg at Anfield on Tuesday

Paris Saint-Germain players are hoping to avoid defeat at Anfield(Image: Getty Images)

Paris Saint-Germain will descend upon Anfield on Monday ahead of Tuesday's Champions League showdown carrying a 2-0 advantage.

Yet there remains a degree of frustration within the French team's camp following events in the first leg against Liverpool. The Reds clearly intended to make life difficult for PSG in Paris, as Arne Slot deployed a back five for the first time with a full senior squad throughout his nearly two-year tenure as head coach.

Those tactics were swiftly disrupted, however, when, after just 11 minutes, Desire Doue cut inside onto his right foot and watched his effort take a cruel deflection off Ryan Gravenberch before looping beyond Giorgi Mamardashvili and into the net.

From that moment, it was largely one-way traffic, and a stunning solo effort from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled the lead in the 65th minute.

Despite registering 22 attempts on the Liverpool goal, six of which tested the keeper, PSG was unable to add to its tally and give the final scoreline at the Parc des Princes a more convincing look.

That offers the Reds, buoyed by a confidence-boosting 2-0 Premier League victory against Fulham at Anfield on Saturday, genuine hope heading into the second leg. The Champions League result has clearly left the PSG players frustrated.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored during the first leg(Image: Getty Images)

"We're satisfied with the win, but I'd say there's a bit of frustration because we had clear chances we could have taken," admitted midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery. "We know it will be tough at Anfield. We won this first battle, but there will be a second one that will be very difficult. We'll go there with our intentions: to play high up the pitch, in their half, and apply our pressing game."

A sentiment echoed by dynamic right-back Achraf Hakimi, who was among several PSG players to be thwarted by an outstanding Mamardashvili. The Georgian stopper looks set to retain his place between the sticks on Tuesday, with first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker still anticipated to remain unavailable.

"I think we had clear chances to score more goals," Hakimi acknowledged. "We left Liverpool in the game for the second leg, but we're happy with the performance and hope to continue like this."

PSG head coach Luis Enrique, speaking after a contest in which the Reds failed to register a single shot on target, insisted he anticipates a contrasting affair in the second leg.

"I don't think there's such a big gap between the two teams," remarked the double Champions League-winning manager. "We are sure about we can do. We know it'll be really hard to play at Anfield, I've done it as a player and a coach now.

"We will suffer, we know that, and right now it's time for recovery and to prepare the match the best way we can. It's going to be a complicated match, but our mentality is always the same, no matter the stadium or the team."

Liverpool will have just two full days to recuperate following its victory over Fulham before taking on PSG, while its opponent has had considerably more rest, with its pivotal Ligue 1 fixture against title rival Lens having been postponed by France's Ligue de Football Professionel (LFP) since the first leg.

The governing body decided to allow the defending champions to "prepare in the best conditions" for the upcoming clash.