Liverpool manager Arne Slot has praised Luis Enrique’s and the improvements he’s made with his PSG side, particularly Ousmane Dembele outstanding individual performance.
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Ahead of Liverpool’s all anticipated match up against PSG in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, coach Arne Slot made remarks on the quality and threat posed by winger Ousmane Dembele with regards to his ball carrying abilities which have led to the French player putting up great oppositional play – his drive moving up the pitch past defenders.
Demebele, under coach Luis Enrique has improved immensely in attacking play as he stands as Ligue 1’s top goalscorer this season with 18 goals from 1372 minutes played (22 appearances). The winger has an expected goal (xG) metric of 12.61. Only Lille’s Jonathan David (xG – 12.84) and Olympique Marseille winger Mason Greenwood (xG – 12.68) are more likely than Dembele to convert shots into goals.
Ousmane has made 73 shots with 42 of those being on target which is more impressive than the rest of Ligue 1 attackers excluding Mason Greenwood’s 86 shots and 40 on target.
With Liverpool riding on Mohamed Salah’s attacking skills in this encounter, the Egyptian has scored 25 goals in 28 appearances (10 appearances more than Dembele) and has a far better xG of 20.19, along with 101 total shots with 53 on target. Both Demebele and Salah are equally ranked (5th) since the 22/23 season when it comes to ball carries which lead to shots or chances created (150).
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It’s more than fair to expect PSG’s attack to pose a threat to Liverpool’s defense led by Virgil van Dijk. Additionally, the Ligue 1 champions have two more players who could stun Liverpool despite Ousmane Dembele also leading Europe’s top five leagues and UEFA competitions in 2025 with the most direct goal involvements, contributing to 17 goals so far this year.
Another of PSG’s attacking prowess could come from Bradley Barcola who has been in exceptional form, scoring or assisting in 10 of his last 12 starts across all competitions, with a total of seven goals and seven assists.
Desire Doue is also one who has been on a remarkable run, with nine of his 14 goal contributions this season coming in his last 10 games. In his most recent 636 minutes of play, he has recorded four goals and five assists.
Considering the aforementioned, if PSG are to overcome Arne Slot’s nearly ‘perfect’ Liverpool side, the threats posed would come more so from the flanks which means Trent Alexander Arnold and Quansah Jarell or Ibrahima Konate may have a lot to deal with on the wings.
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