Analysis: Liverpool

Liverpool set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Daniel Sturridge making his first start in a Champions League fixture for the hosts, taking the place of Roberto Firmino alongside Mo Salah and Sadio Mane in the front line. Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum provided the midfield support.

Jurgen Klopp’s players focused their efforts on playing around the side of Paris Saint-Germain’s midfield three in possession, particularly on the right side. With the PSG central trio wanting to remain compact in order to prevent central penetration and Neymar largely uninterested in tracking runs, the wide areas were frequently left vacant. Angel Di Maria was often the player forced out wide to help left-back Juan Bernat – but this in turn created more space centrally, should the Reds have wished to play inside.

The relationship between the home side’s full-backs and central midfielders was key in maintaining balance in the build-up and attacking phases, while still creating options for further penetration. Milner was a standout example of this; the 32-year-old was permanently aware of the positioning of his teammates and would adjust his own position accordingly. When left-back Andy Robertson wanted to move forward, for example, Milner would provide the cover. Given the threat of Kylian Mbappe, it was important that Milner offered his assistance to centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez when necessary.

Similarly, when Robertson stayed back, Milner would often take up a wider position – this gave PSG the dilemma of whether to mark or leave him. Either way, space would be created centrally or out wide. It’s no surprise, then, that all three of Liverpool’s goals – including in the build-up for the penalty – came as a result of wide play.

The hosts remained in their 4-3-3 shape out of possession. They operated predominantly in a mid-block and would allow the visitors’ centre-backs to keep possession, with pressure only moderately applied when the ball went into the full-backs. They would increase the aggression of their press when a central midfielder received the ball with his back to goal.

Their counter-press upon losing possession was a key area of strength, successful in nullifying any counter-attacking threats for the majority of the game. Henderson and Milner were particularly effective at this, most notably against Mbappe – and it was Milner who provided exactly this quality, robbing the French forward in the lead-up to Firmino’s late winner.