Arne Slot has a number of difficult decisions to make ahead of Liverpool's clash with Southampton after being given food for thought by his substitutes in Wednesday's win over PSG

Arne Slot has a number of difficult decisions to make ahead of Liverpool's clash with Southampton after being given food for thought by his substitutes in Wednesday's win over PSG

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has called on his Bayer Leverkusen team to summon upon the "Miracle of Istanbul" as they look to recover a 3-0 deficit against Bayern Munich.

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has called on his Bayer Leverkusen team to summon upon the "Miracle of Istanbul" as they look to recover a 3-0 deficit against Bayern Munich.

Liverpool will be ready for a battle of the ages when they host Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield next week

Liverpool will be ready for a battle of the ages when they host Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield next week

Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny worked with Liverpool shot-stopper Alisson Becker when the pair were at AS Roma. And several years later, both kept clean sheets in the Champions League earlier this week.

On the opposite side of the draw to Liverpool, Barcelona won against Benfica in Portugal despite Pau Curbasi being sent off. Alisson, meanwhile, produced a record nine saves to somehow keep out PSG before Harvey Elliott's late winner.

Now, though, an old social media post from Szczesny has resurfaced where he correctly predicted Alisson's rise. The Liverpool number one was briefly the most expensive goalkeeper in the world when he signed for the Reds for around $85m (£66m/€80m) but he has fully justified that outlay.

"Training in the rain with Alisson," Szczesny posted on Instagram in January 2017, around 18 months before the Brazilian moved to Anfield from Serie A. "Great guy and a fantastic goalkeeper. Soon to be one of the best in the world."

"I've got no words, to be honest," Elliott said of Alisson, who was later named the Champions League player of the week, post-match. "This guy, he's unbelievable, the best in the world.

"Each and every game he shows it, [he] keeps us in so many games. Tonight it's my opportunity to repay this man. Without him, I don't know where we'd be. Hopefully he can keep [saving] and hopefully we can keep finishing chances. It was a great team performance."

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. (Image: Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images)

"All these shots from outside the box were with a certain speed that you only see with top players," Arne Slot added. "We have them as well but you could see it with them as well [and] that’s why Alisson still had to make a lot of big saves.

"We were lucky in the first half that the goal [Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s disallowed effort] was fractionally offside… and in the end, we were already in the game three, four or five times. I felt like, ‘We can hurt them in transition,’ but we didn’t. But we waited until the last moment and then we hurt them."

Liverpool.com says: There is no doubt that Alisson is the best goalkeeper out there. There has been some talk of him moving to Saudi Arabia at some point but that should be a long way off. Like Mohamed Salah, he is simply too good not to be at the top of the game for as long as possible.

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Liverpool have been linked with a move for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak this summer as Arne Slot looks to strengthen his impressive squad.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak this summer as Arne Slot looks to strengthen his impressive squad.

Former FIFA referee Christina Unkel has expressed her belief that Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate should have been shown a red card during their match against Paris Saint-Germain.

The incident in question occurred when Konate pushed PSG forward Bradley Barcola in the back during the 25th minute at Parc des Princes. Despite this, no foul was called and VAR found no clear and obvious error with the decision. This left PSG incensed, with the club's sporting director, Luis Campos, fuming at referee Davide Massa during the half-time break.

The night took a further turn for the worse for PSG when Harvey Elliott scored in the 87th minute, securing a 1-0 victory for the Reds. Despite Arne Slot's side being largely outplayed and reliant on Alisson Becker to prevent them from falling behind, TNT Sports pundits Ally McCoist and Rio Ferdinand both agreed that the wrong call had been made.

Their sentiment is now echoed by former referee Unkel, who was working for CBS Sports. "I'm actually not going to agree with the referee or VAR in this play itself," she said. "I do think it should have been recommended down to a red card due to denial of a goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO).

"The contact happens here, essentially, outside the penalty area, so we're talking about a DOGSO red card. Did the attacker have the opportunity to control the ball? The answer here is yes. It meets all of the DOGSO considerations so I would have wanted to see this as a penalty and then the VAR if not called on-field."

Ibrahima Konate is interviewed by LFC TV after Liverpool's 1-0 win away at PSG (Image: LFC TV)

Post-match, Konate spoke to Canal+ about the pivotal moment. "There was a VAR check. If there was a push, like you said, I would have been shown a red card," he insisted.

"I'm telling you that there wasn't a foul. It's true that I am very strong but I don't apply power, I just put my arm. If I had put a lot more power into it then we could talk about it, but it was soft from me."

Liverpool.com says: Konate would have been sent off even had it been given as a penalty because there was no genuine attempt to play the ball. The honest truth is that he was very fortunate.

Had the decision been given on the field, it is highly unlikely that the VAR would have instructed the on-field official to overturn the call. Instead, Liverpool moved into the ascendency in the tie thanks to Alisson's heroics.

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Liverpool produced a night that will live long in the memory for their supporters as they gained an advantage over PSG in the Champions League round of 16

Liverpool produced a night that will live long in the memory for their supporters as they gained an advantage over PSG in the Champions League round of 16

Liverpool emerged victorious in the Champions League midweek but only minutes after Harvey Elliott had netted the winner against PSG, Arne Slot's focus had switched back to the Premier League and the visit of Southampton.

"We need our fans on Saturday against Southampton as well," he said during his post-match press conference. "Like you know, we don’t have a winter break in England so we just keep on playing, and these players are definitely going to need the help of our fans to show up two times as they did in the last few months."

His comments there would suggest that we can expect to see some changes to his starting team. With PSG coming to Anfield three days after this clash, that shouldn't be a surprise.

There is no need to swap out Alisson but at left-back, bringing in Kostas Tsimikas for Andy Robertson feels like an obvious swap. The latter will play most of the games between now and the end of the season so taking the chance to switch him out makes sense.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only fit right-back so he will have to stay in the side, while it seems likely that Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will be asked to go again. Jarell Quansah could come on in the second half for some rotation.

In midfield, there is a strong argument for bringing in Curtis Jones to freshen things up and it is possible that Elliott —frustrated by a lack of opportunities this season — could start too. Dominik Szoboszlai, though he doesn't look tired, has played a huge volume of minutes, while Alexis Mac Allister could benefit from a rest too. Wataru Endo coming in for Ryan Gravenberch seems unlikely from the start, but that could be a pre-planned swap around the hour mark.

Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones and Arne Slot during Liverpool's Champions League tie with PSG (Image: (Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images))

In attack, it remains to be seen whether or not Cody Gakpo will be available. Slot will issue the latest in his press conference, which is scheduled for Friday at 10am UK time (5am ET), but the Dutchman missed the last game with a knock. The fact he traveled to Paris would suggest it is not serious, but no risks will be taken.

If he is available, Gakpo could come back into the team. Darwin Nunez impressed off the bench at the Parc des Princes and if there is ever a game to throw him into, Southampton at home might be it.

Liverpool will have to take the Saints seriously but with a lead at the top of the Premier League table, it can also afford to relax a little. With the second leg against PSG just a few days later, it should be possible to plan ahead just a bit.

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Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was in inspired form as the Reds beat PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Arne Slot's side winning 1-0 in Paris

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was in inspired form as the Reds beat PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Arne Slot's side winning 1-0 in Paris

Referee Michael Oliver has been at the centre of controversy for awarding a Bayern Munich penalty just weeks after a run-in with Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

Referee Michael Oliver has been at the centre of controversy for awarding a Bayern Munich penalty just weeks after a run-in with Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

Alisson produced an outrageous display in Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Paris Saint-Germain, standing as one of the Reds’ best-ever individual performances in the Champions League.

The Brazilian cemented his status as the world’s best goalkeeper on Wednesday night, making nine saves at the Parc des Princes.

Without Alisson, Liverpool could almost be out of their last 16 tie, but instead, they are taking a narrow lead with them back to Anfield.

The 32-year-old’s colossal performance got us thinking about past memorable showings from Reds players in the Champions League.

Here are 10 individual performances that stand out.

Igor Biscan vs. Deportivo (2004)

This is a niche choice, but if you remember it, it’s justified!

Igor Biscan was never the greatest Liverpool player, but he played like peak Steven Gerrard away to Deportivo La Coruna in the triumphant 2004/05 season.

A Jorge Andrade own goal decided matters in Spain, in a crucial group stage win for the Reds, and Biscan was influential in the middle of the park.

With Gerrard injured and Xabi Alonso only fit enough for the bench, the Croatian delivered when Rafa Benitez most needed him, covering ground and producing quality in possession.

Steven Gerrard vs. Olympiakos (2004)

Without Gerrard’s contribution against Olympiakos, there would have been no Istanbul!

He dragged Liverpool through the 2003/04 season, getting them into the Champions League, and he then inspired his side into the knockout rounds the following year.

With time running out and a goal needed to go through against Olympiakos, Gerrard thundered an unstoppable half-volley into the Kop net, creating scenes of joy and securing a 3-1 win.

It was at this point that we started to realise we were seeing a top young player blossom into a true great.

Steven Gerrard vs. AC Milan (2005)

There isn’t a more iconic Champions League display by a Liverpool player than Gerrard in the 2005 final.

Granted, his opening 45 minutes didn’t go to plan, trailing 3-0 to AC Milan, but he almost single-handedly got the Reds back into the contest, pulling a goal back with a header.

Gerrard also won the penalty that Alonso converted at the second attempt, before excelling as a right-back in extra-time.

He became a Liverpool legend that night, despite still only being 24 at the time.

Alvaro Arbeloa vs. Barcelona (2007)

Alvaro Arbeloa may not have been Liverpool’s most flamboyant player, but his performance against Barcelona in 2007 was immaculate.

The Spaniard was tasked with man-marking a teenage Lionel Messi, which he has since admitted was a daunting proposition:

“I was training at Melwood and Rafa [Benitez] came over. ‘Left back’. Left? Marking Messi.

“I stood looking at him, waiting for him to start laughing. This has to be a joke but I saw he was deadly serious.”

The Reds ended up securing a precious and famous 2-1 win in the Camp Nou, with Craig Bellamy pulling off that golf club celebration!

Yossi Benayoun vs. Besiktas (2007)

Yossi Benayoun was a gem of a player, arguably becoming underrated as the years have passed.

The Israeli flourished as Liverpool trounced Besiktas 8-0 in 2007, which remains their biggest-ever Champions League win, and the joint-largest in the competition’s history.

Benayoun bagged a hat-trick by the time the 56th minute arrived, as well as getting a couple of assists.

Sadio Mane vs. Porto (2018)

We must never forget how special Sadio Mane was, with the Senegalese Liverpool’s best player in the Premier League title-winning season.

He was at his peak when the Reds thumped Porto 5-0 away in the last 16 in 2018, scoring three of his side’s goals.

Watching Mane dovetail with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino was a joy, and at this point, he was arguably the best of the three.

He would go on to score in the final against Real Madrid that season, albeit in a losing cause.

Mohamed Salah vs. Roma (2018)

Salah’s first season at Liverpool saw him score 44 goals in all competitions, and former club Roma felt his wrath in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

The Egyptian scored twice past a certain Alisson in a 5-2 win, the first of which was a trademark curler from the right.

Salah didn’t celebrate, showing respect to his former employers, but they couldn’t cope with him all evening.

He even registered two assists for good measure, allowing Mane and Firmino to also find the net.

Virgil van Dijk vs. Bayern Munich (2019)

It’s not often that Virgil van Dijk misses a game, but he was suspended against Bayern Munich in the first leg of their last 16 clash in 2019.

Thankfully, Liverpool kept a clean sheet without him at Anfield, drawing 0-0, and he was all-conquering in the return fixture.

Not only did Van Dijk assist Mane for a sensational opening goal, firing an inch-perfect ball over the top, but he also scored in the second half, as Jurgen Klopp‘s side won 3-1.

The Liverpool skipper was a rock at the back, too, helping the Reds reach the quarter-finals.

Gini Wijnaldum vs. Barcelona (2019)

Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Barcelona was an even bigger miracle than Istanbul.

On a night that saw the Reds overturn a 3-0 deficit in the semi-final second leg, Gini Wijnaldum came off the bench at half-time to produce an unforgettable display.

Often an unsung presence while others made the headlines, the Dutchman scored twice, delivering match-winning brilliance in the absence of Salah and Firmino.

What a player Wijnaldum was for Liverpool.

Alisson vs. PSG (2025)

Alisson‘s contribution against PSG on Wednesday was right up there with the biggest in any recent Champions League game.

It was possibly his finest outing in a Liverpool shirt – he even called it the “best performance of my life” – as he thwarted the hosts with a string of world-class saves.

While others floundered in France, Alisson rose to the challenge, showcasing his unrivalled one-on-one skills and reflexes.

There have been murmurings about Giorgi Mamardashvili usurping the Brazilian at Liverpool this summer, but on this evidence, that won’t be happening.

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Liverpool published their financial accounts for the 2023/24 period on Friday

Liverpool published their financial accounts for the 2023/24 period on Friday