Liverpool's PSG Collapse Sparks Fury: Ekitike Slammed, Slot's Tactics Questioned

Liverpool's midweek encounter with PSG has left supporters grappling with what many are calling their most troubling performance in recent memory. This wasn't simply a case of being outgunned by superior opposition—it was a display bereft of cohesion, confidence, and any semblance of the tactical discipline the club has previously demonstrated.

The Reds were dismantled from the opening whistle, their five-at-the-back formation offering no sanctuary whatsoever. Within a handful of passes, Liverpool found themselves exposed in two-versus-one situations that shouldn't have materialised. A team renowned for their passing prowess appeared utterly unable to retain possession under pressure, creating what one supporter described as "chaos in every sense of the word."

The 2-0 scoreline flatters the home side considerably. PSG should have been out of sight, with one observer estimating the French side could have legitimately won by seven goals. The quality on display from PSG—their movement, intelligence, and attacking threat—left Liverpool marooned and helpless.

The Scapegoats Emerge

Hugo Ekitike has become the focal point of fan frustration. One correspondent questioned the striker's value in unsparing terms, suggesting his output represents a significant step backwards even compared to previous Liverpool signings. The Belgian forward's contribution was minimal in a match where Liverpool desperately needed their attacking players to impose themselves.

Alexis Mac Allister's form has also raised eyebrows. The midfielder was instrumental in Liverpool's 82-point campaign in 2024, when the club sat atop the table on 1 April before dropping ten points from their final 21 available. Yet his recent performances have deteriorated markedly. Against Tottenham—themselves struggling under their manager—Mac Allister lost ten of twelve duels and was arguably the worst performer on the pitch. His inability to win basic contests in midfield represents a troubling regression for a player who should be providing stability at the heart of the engine room.

Slot Under the Microscope

Manager Arne Slot's tactical decisions have drawn criticism. The formation switch to a 5-5-0 setup proved disastrous, offering neither defensive solidity nor attacking threat. Substitutions arrived approximately fifteen minutes too late to salvage proceedings. One supporter even took issue with Slot's pre-match attire, suggesting a club tracksuit would have been more appropriate than what they perceived as "Saturday night vibe clothes."

Deeper Structural Issues

The underlying malaise extends beyond any single match. With the squad's form deteriorating across multiple positions—Konate, Curtis Jones, and Mac Allister all struggling—questions loom about whether these are tactical problems or symptomatic of deeper issues. Three separate Directors of Football over four years have created instability, with rumours suggesting yet another DoF appointment may be imminent.

Some supporters believe individual players have simply lost focus, resting on previous laurels rather than maintaining standards. Whether a managerial change alone can address these issues remains doubtful. As the captain has acknowledged, multiple players must elevate their performances significantly.

The season's trajectory looks increasingly bleak. Liverpool's European ambitions appear to have been extinguished in Paris, whilst domestic aspirations have contracted to hopes of securing fourth or fifth place—a sobering reality for a club accustomed to competing for titles.

One consolation, perhaps, is that others can take schadenfreude from the Reds' misery. Arsenal, despite their utilitarian football, remain in contention for multiple trophies, whilst Manchester City's dominance continues. For Liverpool supporters, watching rivals prosper whilst their own side implodes only compounds the misery of what has become a genuinely shameful campaign.