Arne Slot change proves ineffective as brutal Liverpool truth clear - 5 talking points vs PSG

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(Photo by Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)PARC DES PRINCES, PARIS // Liverpool will have to attempt to come from two goals down against PSG after it was comfortably second best in the Paris leg of the tie.A deflected effort from Desire Doue saw PSG open the scoring early in the game, and Liverpool struggled to offer much in the way of an attacking threat, even though defensively it was slightly more stable than usual with a back three.Even so, Ousmane Dembele missed a sitter and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia danced through to score a second for the host, doubling its lead. Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp refusing to rule out comeback as ex-Liverpool manager inspires himREAD MORE: Steven Gerrard wants Liverpool to bring superstar back to Anfield after heroicsBack three works more by luck than judgmentLast season, Liverpool was battered by PSG in this stadium — albeit a Harvey Elliott goal somehow gave the Reds a 1-0 win that they couldn't hold onto — and so switching formation and going with a back three made some sense.It can be argued that Arne Slot changing things up because of the opponent (and how things have gone recently) is not a good sign.

This is a very different PSG team, though — one without Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, but a considerable amount more in the way of a team unit.While Liverpool changed things up and got bodies back to defend, it needed much more from its front two. He was booked, and while the center of the pitch looked more solid because the team was much more compact, it isn't a system for the long-term.When Liverpool goes back to playing more like it normally does, with some actual intent to attack, the gaps that have been evident will return.

For the first time since arriving at Liverpool, he has not played that role, but did here.The result? Getting into the positions is one thing; capitalizing on them is quite another.PSG takes commanding advantageAhead of the return leg at Anfield next Tuesday, the task here was simple — in very basic terms — for Liverpool: just don't lose by so many goals that the tie is already over before PSG has to travel to Merseyside.Fresh from an embarrassing 4-0 hammering against Manchester City, after which Virgil van Dijk admitted that his side had given up, there was a reaction needed.There was one: Liverpool played much better.