Molby: “We’ve got to wait for our moments” against PSG in Champions League | OneFootball

Jan Mølby’s Insight: Liverpool vs PSG – Champions League Clash at Anfield

Liverpool’s upcoming Champions League second-leg tie against PSG is shaping up to be a defining moment in their season. With Anfield set to be at its electrifying best, club legend Jan Mølby joined Trev Downey on Molby On The Spot to dissect the matchup, offering deep tactical insights into how Arne Slot’s men can approach the challenge.



Anfield’s Atmosphere: Crucial Factor

One of the key themes of Mølby’s analysis was the significance of Anfield’s famous atmosphere in big European nights. As he put it, “There’s no doubt that Anfield is going to be rocking.” He noted that while some teams crumble under the pressure, PSG’s talent level means Liverpool must approach the game with a clear strategy.

Reflecting on previous famous nights, Mølby asked a vital question: “Did they (PSG) get the full Anfield treatment in terms of intensity right from the first whistle?” He suggested that Liverpool need to unsettle their opponents early, much like they did against Real Madrid in 2009 and Manchester City in the 2018 quarter-final.

Tactical Adjustments: How Do Liverpool Contain PSG?

Mølby acknowledged PSG’s attacking prowess, particularly the movement and creativity of their forwards. He explained that Liverpool must “come to grips with their structure, their formation, and how they start their attacks.” PSG’s setup, where they often shift to a 3-2-5 formation in possession, causes problems defensively. “That’s why Hakimi, the right-back, gets so much space because the wide attacker steps inside.”

Liverpool’s defensive discipline will be tested, especially considering PSG’s ability to create shooting opportunities. Mølby warned: “They didn’t score last week, but then at the weekend they were back scoring four again.” He believes that doubling up on PSG’s wide threats and being disciplined in transitions will be key to limiting their goal-scoring opportunities.

Discussing Liverpool’s approach, he suggested a pragmatic style: “For us, it’s going to be a moments game. I think we’ve got to wait for our moments and then make the most of them.” Given PSG’s attacking firepower, he expects an open game, predicting that “this has got every chance of being something like that 3-2 game” from their last Anfield meeting.

Photo: IMAGO

Counter-Attack vs. Containment: Finding the Right Balance

Liverpool’s ability to strike on the counter-attack is well-documented, but the risk of sitting back too much could be dangerous. Mølby highlighted this dilemma: “Can we really afford to do that type of thing? If we sit back and absorb, how do we limit the shots? How do we limit the crosses?”

He pointed out that as the first leg progressed, PSG’s attacking threat diminished: “The longer the game went the other night, the less dangerous they looked.” However, Liverpool must be proactive in disrupting PSG’s build-up play rather than simply retreating.

One key defensive concern is Liverpool’s full-backs being overloaded. “I thought both of our full-backs in the first leg, although they were getting battered, kept trying. Not always successfully, but they were doing good stuff in terms of doubling up.” This suggests Liverpool may need to continue offering defensive support in wide areas to combat PSG’s pace and width.

Dressing Room Tensions: Salah and Alexander-Arnold’s Training Ground Spat

Beyond tactics, Mølby addressed concerns about a reported training ground confrontation between Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold. With social media speculation running wild, he downplayed the incident, stating: “There would be something every day… That’s just football.”

He emphasised the competitive nature of elite footballers: “You don’t win every game you play, but you don’t get derailed by any of that.” In Mølby’s view, such tensions are normal in a high-performance environment and unlikely to impact Liverpool’s focus for the PSG match.

Final Thoughts

Liverpool enter this fixture knowing they need a performance reminiscent of classic European nights at Anfield. Mølby is optimistic but cautious, stressing the need for a disciplined approach. With PSG’s attacking firepower, Liverpool’s ability to balance aggression with defensive solidity will be crucial.

As the club icon put it: “This is the exciting time of the year to be part of.” If Anfield delivers its full backing and Liverpool play to their strengths, another memorable Champions League night could be on the cards.