Liverpool head into Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint‑Germain with a worrying injury list — Alisson, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley are sidelined and Curtis Jones is a major doubt — forcing Arne Slot to navigate a thin squad as the Reds chase a 2-0 deficit from the Parc des Princes at Anfield.
Injury crisis could derail Liverpool’s Champions League comeback
Liverpool must overcome a two-goal deficit against Paris Saint‑Germain at Anfield while juggling a mounting list of absentees. The 2-0 loss in Paris leaves Arne Slot’s side with work to do, but selection headaches may be the bigger problem: key defenders and midfielders are unavailable, and the club’s goalkeeper situation remains acute.
Who is out — and why it matters
Alisson Becker is absent after a fresh setback before the international break, ruling him out for the foreseeable future and likely until late in the season. Losing Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper is not just a shot-stopper problem; it affects defensive organisation, set-piece control and the team’s build-up play.
Wataru Endo suffered a foot injury in February and has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. Endo’s absence removes Premier League experience and shielding in midfield, forcing a rethink around protection for the backline.
Giovanni Leoni suffered an ACL injury on his debut and faces a long-term layoff. Conor Bradley remains sidelined with a serious knee problem sustained in January, further depleting right-back options. Those defensive absences restrict tactical flexibility and bench options late in a tight, high-stakes tie.
Curtis Jones was reported to have a groin issue after the Fulham game and was initially thought unlikely to feature. Jones was later seen training with the squad ahead of the PSG game — a welcome sight — but his availability is not guaranteed. If fit, Jones offers Liverpool crucial creativity and forward momentum; if not, the Reds lose one of their few consistent attacking spark plugs.
PSG squad update: a timely boost for the visitors
Paris Saint‑Germain arrive with better news on personnel. Bradley Barcola is available after recovering from an ankle ligament injury, restoring pace and directness on PSG’s flank. That addition matters: Barcola’s output in transition is a direct threat to a Liverpool defence missing key personnel.
Fabian Ruiz and Quentin Ndjantou remain unavailable, although Ruiz is reportedly making progress in training. PSG still have enough quality and depth to cause problems, particularly in wide areas and in possession.
Numbers and context from the first leg
At the Parc des Princes, PSG dominated large parts of the game and created significantly more quality chances. A 2-0 scoreline flattered Liverpool to an extent; the Reds must improve their control in midfield and cut out turnovers to have a genuine chance of turning the tie around.
Tactical implications: how Slot must adjust
Without Alisson, Slot will likely turn to his backup goalkeeper, which changes the defensive dynamic. The team must simplify distribution and be compact on crosses and set pieces. With Endo absent, Liverpool need someone to provide the discipline and cover that allowed full-backs to advance earlier in the season.
Defensive rotation is inevitable. Expect a more conservative approach early on — protecting the centre-backs, limiting counter-attack exposure and seeking to draw PSG in before exploiting space on the break. If Jones is fit, he can be the outlet to progress the ball quickly through midfield; if not, Slot will need to rely on more physical or conservative midfield pairings.
For PSG, Barcola’s reintroduction allows them to probe wide channels and invite Liverpool to press, then punish turnover with pace. That tactical balance gives PSG an edge if Liverpool cannot field a confident midfield unit.
What this means and what to watch
Availability is the headline — Liverpool’s ability to field leaders in goal and midfield will likely decide the tie. A fit Curtis Jones changes the equation; so does any late development on Alisson or Endo, though both seem unlikely to return imminently.
At Anfield, Liverpool must be sharper and more clinical than they were in Paris. Winning the midfield battle, avoiding unforced errors in possession, and converting set-piece chances will be vital. PSG, with Barcola back, will test Liverpool’s makeshift backline and seek to protect their lead through calculated threats rather than reckless defending.
Outlook and short-term prognosis
The tie is far from over but has shifted in PSG’s favour given Liverpool’s injury situation. Slot’s side can still progress, but it will take tactical discipline, a collective defensive step up and perhaps a bit of luck on fitness returns. The next 48 hours of training and final team news will be decisive; this is a classic example of a knockout tie where squad depth — or the lack of it — could ultimately determine who advances to the semi-finals.
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Arne Slot is set to be without a number of players for Tuesday's pivotal Champions League quarter-final second leg tie against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield
Liverpool Echo
