Liverpool will need a big performance against PSG to advance to the Champions League semi-finals, but could have an ace up their sleeve
If there’s one advantage Liverpool have over Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final second leg, it’s surely that the tie is taking place at Anfield. When the Reds’ iconic home is in full voice, it’s been known to reduce some of football’s biggest clubs to quivering wrecks.
Arne Slot will need the full power of Anfield on his side come Tuesday evening, with Liverpool needing to overturn a two-goal deficit against the reigning European champions. While the Reds have struggled this season, the power generated from all four corners of L4 can still transform a middling season into a memorable one.
Liverpool have already overturned one Champions League tie this season, hammering Galatasaray 4-0 at Anfield after losing away by a single goal. So, just what exactly are PSG up against? Well, where do you begin?
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Perhaps back in 1977, when Liverpool overturned a 1-0 deficit against French side St Etienne to reach the European Cup semi-finals. Rumour has it that the stadium even shifted slightly with the noise levels that night.
That wouldn’t be too far-fetched. Scientists from the University of Liverpool discovered that during the Reds’ 5-1 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur last season, which won them the Premier League title, Anfield registered a peak magnitude of 1.74 on the Richter scale. Professor Ben Edwards said: “Their enthusiasm was literally powerful enough to move the Earth.”
Then there are the evenings the younger fan still treasures. Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Chelsea in the 2005 Champions League semi-final is often regarded as the greatest night in the club’s history.
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Jose Mourinho, who was in charge of the Blues at the time, took the Blues to Merseyside after drawing the first leg in west London. Luis Garcia scored the game’s only goal after four minutes as Rafa Benitez’s side dug in deep to claim the win.
Speaking years later, Mourinho said: “It’s the only time I’ve seen a stadium score a goal was in the semi-final of the Champions League in 2005… they made so much noise that they scored. I felt the power of Anfield, it was magnificent.”
Jostling with that night is the famous clash with Barcelona in May 2019. The Catalan giants, spearheaded by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, took a commanding 3-0 lead in the first leg at the Camp Nou.
The tie looked dead and buried until Anfield came alive and witnessed the Reds dismantle Barcelona 4-0, to reach the Champions League final, which they won against Spurs.
Barca legend Xavi said: “The fans remained for the whole game and never stopped applauding their team. I couldn’t believe it. I was speechless.”
Arsenal hero Thierry Henry was on the receiving end of Anfield’s full might in a memorable quarter-final clash in 2008, where the Reds took hold of the tie to win 4-2 and advance to the semi-finals.
“For my first few years at Arsenal we didn’t do well there [Anfield], but we improved,” he said. “It’s the atmosphere I love. It’s unbelievable. I’ve played in a lot of stadiums but for me there is nothing like playing at Liverpool.”
Kevin De Bruyne, who lost a Champions League quarter-final for Manchester City against Liverpool in 2018, said: “I like Anfield, I like it a lot. I love people being on you, being noisy, that is what it’s all about. I love the passion of football.”
PSG coach Luis Enrique knows all too well that Anfield will be a huge obstacle his players will have to grapple with. After the first leg victory, the club’s Spanish boss said: “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. “
Goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have given the Ligue 1 giants a major boost heading into the second leg. PSG also beat Liverpool in the Champions League last-16 at Anfield last season on penalties.
Arne Slot knows that if Liverpool are going to have any hope of clinching silverware this season, they will need Anfield as loud as it’s ever been.
“We will need to have a better performance”, Slot said after the first leg defeat in Paris. “[We] definitely need our fans to help us create an atmosphere where we can rise to a better level than we did today.”
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Watch Liverpool vs PSG for free
Liverpool have reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals where they host Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg on April 14. Fans can watch the game for free with an Amazon Prime subscription or 30-day free trial.
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