PSG better beware - Liverpool are out for blood!
That's the view of former Anfield star John Aldridge, who has been left perplexed and outright furious with some of the noises from Paris after last week's Champions League last 16 first leg.
In truth, Luis Enrique's men were the better team on the night and few would have argued had they claimed the advantage. But a mixture of poor finishing and the brilliant Alisson Becker, plus Harvey Elliott's late calm finish, handed Arne Slot's men a smash and grab victory.
Luis Enrique claimed it was "unfair" and a number of PSG players insisted they had deserved the win, that Anfield holds no fear and that they're confident they can turn things around on Merseyside. All of which Aldridge, isn't best pleased about.
"When I heard the comments of the PSG players and manager after the first leg, the arrogance of them struck me," he says in his Liverpool Echo column. "You're looking at a club that has never won a big trophy, so to come out and say what they did post-match...
"They should have won, but they didn't. We sucker-punched them. And they have been so disrespectful to us and to Anfield.
'And I'm hoping the fans respond on Wednesday night and the players win their personal battles. We will play better, we will pass it better. And if we win our personal battles, we'll win the game because we're a better team than them.
"What they've said is like a red rag to a bull. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, obviously, but if I was a player or the manager, I'd be fuming. I'd want to go out and really show them on Wednesday night.
"They've given Arne Slot a free team talk. I did it at Tranmere when we played Bolton in the semi-finals of the League Cup. It was massive for us to get to Wembley, little Tranmere Rovers. We went to Bolton, won 1-0 and played very well I thought. But we got some derogatory comments from their camp. I got the Bolton Evening News. It's old-school but I got Les Parry to put them around the dressing room.
"I didn't have a team talk. I just said that's what he said, that's what he said, that's what he said. There you go, it's up to you. In the first 20 minutes, we were 2-0 up. Game over. We battered them.
"The players will be talking about what PSG players have said in the dressing room. Virgil's the one who will relay it to them.
"So win your battles, don't let them bully you, don't let them get the best of you. There are three or four really crucial combats in this game. We have to win our battles. Especially in midfield.
"We can't be any worse than last week. That's as bad as I've seen and I was gobsmacked we won 1-0. Imagine if we play well!
Last few games, we've not been at it but if we play like we did against Man City or Real Madrid, we'll beat them. They are a good team but we made them look better than they are. They have some brilliant players.
"The crowd will do its part, I'm pretty sure about that. And PSG won't know what's hit them."
Austine8Peaks
1
what's up brother
On point
gallasyommy
1
"What they've said is like a red rag to a bull. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, obviously, but if I was a player or the manager, I'd be fuming. I'd want to go out and really show them on Wednesday night. This is what Psg wants you to do. To come out and play not only defend deep. You want to rage against a side that has a tiki taka groomed manager? he’d cut you in bits. Instead be a bit Mourinho. Defend a lil deep. Kick the opposition players around a bit. Bully them to annoy them off their game plan instead of you being the angry one.
what's up brother
gallasyommy
0
That's the french mentality. : .They are good team but we made them look better than they are; Liverpool made them look as if they were the best in the world.They will play the real Liverpool today. They don't show respect gir Liverpool by the way they are talking. Their words didn't protraiting professionalism
how far now?
R-Madridxtar
1
They will know what Anfield is. It will be their worst nightmare
seem like u got nightmare haha
R-Madridxtar
0
The Anfield is the miracle they have, u can see the difference performance from the reds
saw it hahaha
Hehehaha99
0
engineers working on the flood lights..YNWA
Now go in your caves
Hehehaha99
0
Good talk from Aldridge.. we made them look better than what they are
lol
Austine8Peaks
0
We shall see
Told you
akain
0
I’m not sure you’ve actually watched Enrique’s version of tiki taka. Watch Spain vs Italy Euro 2020 and you’d have an idea. Besides Enrique is a good comeback coach.
We shall see
jidbelmsz
1
That's the french mentality. : .They are good team but we made them look better than they are; Liverpool made them look as if they were the best in the world.They will play the real Liverpool today. They don't show respect gir Liverpool by the way they are talking. Their words didn't protraiting professionalism
The gosl is part of the team.
kosaclmru
1
The Anfield is the miracle they have, u can see the difference performance from the reds
Austine8Peaks
1
Tik tak doesn't work on gegenpressing. They would be forced to commit at the back
I’m not sure you’ve actually watched Enrique’s version of tiki taka. Watch Spain vs Italy Euro 2020 and you’d have an idea. Besides Enrique is a good comeback coach.
akain
1
"What they've said is like a red rag to a bull. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, obviously, but if I was a player or the manager, I'd be fuming. I'd want to go out and really show them on Wednesday night. This is what Psg wants you to do. To come out and play not only defend deep. You want to rage against a side that has a tiki taka groomed manager? he’d cut you in bits. Instead be a bit Mourinho. Defend a lil deep. Kick the opposition players around a bit. Bully them to annoy them off their game plan instead of you being the angry one.
Tik tak doesn't work on gegenpressing. They would be forced to commit at the back
jiobdmpru
3
That's the french mentality. : .They are good team but we made them look better than they are; Liverpool made them look as if they were the best in the world.They will play the real Liverpool today. They don't show respect gir Liverpool by the way they are talking. Their words didn't protraiting professionalism
Austine8Peaks
2
"What they've said is like a red rag to a bull. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, obviously, but if I was a player or the manager, I'd be fuming. I'd want to go out and really show them on Wednesday night. This is what Psg wants you to do. To come out and play not only defend deep. You want to rage against a side that has a tiki taka groomed manager? he’d cut you in bits. Instead be a bit Mourinho. Defend a lil deep. Kick the opposition players around a bit. Bully them to annoy them off their game plan instead of you being the angry one.
UEFAchampions
4
Home of legends
MikaelGuerrer0
0
The little disrespectful comments from their coach and players after the last match, should fuel Liverpool players. Go out there show them u're better than them. Out run them, force them to make mistakes.
Nah psg is a team with no history a team who think they deserve everything they dint deserve respect
sandafoxiry7
2
The little disrespectful comments from their coach and players after the last match, should fuel Liverpool players. Go out there show them u're better than them. Out run them, force them to make mistakes.
wipanpryz
2
Good talk from Aldridge.. we made them look better than what they are
Bilocean
2
They will know what Anfield is. It will be their worst nightmare
Rikadnopsz
1
engineers working on the flood lights..YNWA