PSG toughest test for Liverpool this season, says Andy Robertson | OneFootball

Andy Robertson Hails PSG as Liverpool’s Toughest Opponent This Season

Liverpool’s left-back Andy Robertson has labelled Paris Saint-Germain as the best team they’ve faced this season. Ahead of the decisive second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, the Scotland international insists his side must significantly improve to progress.

Crucial Second Leg at Anfield

Arne Slot’s men hold a slender 1-0 advantage heading into Tuesday’s clash at Anfield, but Robertson acknowledges Liverpool were fortunate to leave Paris with a lead. Goalkeeper Alisson produced a masterclass to keep the Reds in front during a one-sided first leg, a performance Robertson admits cannot be relied upon again.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” Robertson told journalists after Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Southampton. “They showed how good they can be, an exceptional team – probably the best we have played this season. We have got the lead, which is important, but we can obviously play better than we did on Wednesday, that’s clear and we will have to play better as we can’t rely on Alisson playing the game of his life every game.”

The Scottish defender emphasised the need for a more proactive approach: “We have to be more front-footed. We have to be better without the ball and if we do that, hopefully, the crowd can be behind us as we know what they can be like on Champions League nights.”

Home Advantage Could Prove Decisive

Liverpool’s legendary European nights at Anfield have often been fuelled by an electric atmosphere, and Robertson believes the fans will have a massive role to play.

“Their stadium made a difference last week as their players reacted off their fans, and more often than not, on Champions League nights at Anfield, our players do that. We don’t need to ask our fans to be at their best, it’s a given, and it’s up to us to react off that and perform because it’s not easy to get into the Champions League quarter-finals, especially the draw we’ve been given. If we are at our best, we believe we can beat any team.”

PSG Resting Stars While Liverpool Stay Focused

PSG manager Luis Enrique made sweeping changes for their 4-1 league victory over Rennes on Saturday, resting key figures like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marquinhos, Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. In contrast, Arne Slot opted for only three adjustments against Southampton, ensuring Liverpool maintained momentum in their Premier League title challenge.

The match against Southampton was far from straightforward. Liverpool trailed after a sluggish first-half display before second-half substitutions, including Robertson, injected fresh energy. The turnaround secured three points, but it was not without its struggles.

Photo: IMAGO

Slot’s Fiery Half-Time Team Talk

Virgil van Dijk revealed that Slot’s frustration at half-time was evident. The Liverpool captain admitted that the Dutchman did not hold back in the dressing room.

Asked if it was the angriest he had seen Slot, Van Dijk responded: “Yes, but if you look at the first half, he had every right to be angry. And I think from his point of view as well, it was even more frustrating to see.

“But we did what we all wanted in the second half and what he wanted as well, and now we move on.”

With Liverpool pushing for silverware on multiple fronts, Tuesday’s fixture against PSG could define their European campaign. Robertson’s words serve as a rallying call—if the Reds hit their peak, they have every reason to believe they can overcome the French champions and march into the Champions League quarter-finals.