Liverpool aims to halt its downturn against PSG

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Jeremie Frimpong, left, attend a training session in Liverpool, England. ( AP)

PARIS, April 7 (AP): Out of the Premier League title race. Routed in the FA Cup. Mounting questions over the manager's future. A star striker is set to leave. A disgruntled captain said his team gave up.

Liverpool heads into the first leg of its Champions League quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in disarray—a far cry from when the sides met in the last 16 last year.

Back then, Liverpool was romping to the Premier League title, new manager Arne Slot was the toast of the city, and Mo Salah was at his brilliant best. By contrast, PSG had struggled to advance from the Champions League group stage, and observers were questioning coach Luis Enrique's methods.

PSG scraped through on penalties against Liverpool after an intense battle over two legs.

"Arne Slot has spoken about what an incredible match it was," PSG midfielder Vitinha said Tuesday at a pre-match news conference. "They didn’t have a chance ( in the first leg ) apart from the goal they scored, and (goalkeeper) Allison was man of the match."

Knocking the six-time champion out - away at Anfield, no less - gave PSG the belief it could finally win the Champions League. By contrast, Liverpool's agonizing defeat marked the start of Salah's decline as Liverpool's aura took a hit.

Liverpool then began the current campaign poorly as Salah's goals dried up and he clashed with Slot.

PSG is closing in on another French title, but Liverpool is fifth in the Premier League, a hefty 21 points behind leader Arsenal. Following a crushing 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, captain Virgil van Dijk said his side "gave up,” and he apologized to fans.

Slot called it a humbling loss.

The Dutchman is reportedly clinging to his job. Salah will be gone next season, and if PSG knocks out Liverpool, a trophyless season may cost Slot his position.

But PSG is blocking out any talk about being the favorite this time.

"Favorite, according to you (the media). The same way you said last year that Liverpool was,” said Vitinha, who finished third in the Ballon d’Or standings in 2025. "Even if Liverpool are not in their best form, they remain a great team with great players.”

Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitiké returns to face his former side, transformed as a player.

He joined PSG four years ago as a promising 19-year-old but struggled to make an impact in a team containing Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and Lionel Messi. He scored only four goals in 33 games in two disappointing seasons.

"You could already see the qualities he had," Vitinha said in his defense. "It just wasn't the right context for him at the time.”

A move to Eintracht Frankfurt changed Ekitiké's fortunes and, after scoring 22 goals last season, he earned a big move to Premier League champion Liverpool for 69 million pounds (then $93.5 million).

He has done well, scoring 17 goals and breaking into the France team, and national coach Didier Deschamps appreciates his ability to attack from deep and dribble at speed.

"Normally, I don't talk about players who don't play for PSG," Luis Enrique said when asked about Ekitiké. "But after leaving PSG, he did well in Germany and England. He was very young when he was here, and he has improved a lot.”