The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Defeat leaves Liverpool needing big Anfield night
PSG hold off Reds to set up all-or-nothing clash with Napoli for Klopp’s side
PARIS ST-GERMAIN 2 LIVERPOOL 1
Liverpool’s Champions League future has come down to an all-or-nothing decider at home to Napoli next month following a frustrating 2-1 defeat in Paris last night.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have to beat the Serie A side by more than one goal to ensure progress to the knockout stage having suffered a fourth successive Champions League away defeat, this being the first time they have lost all three away group games.
Juan Bernat and Neymar, whose 31st goal in the competition saw him leapfrog Kaka as the top-scoring Brazilian, put the hosts ahead before James Milner’s penalty on the stroke of half-time offered hope. But despite an improved secondhalf performance Liverpool could not find an equaliser, leaving themselves with it all do in what is certain to be a highly charged occasion in a fortnight.
Having overpowered PSG at Anfield they will hope to do the same to the Italians but there was no rolling over their French opponents in their own backyard.
Marco Verratti was injured for the previous meeting but he set about making his mark from the off.
The Italy midfielder, reassured by Marquinhos holding the ground behind him, pulled the strings in a first half that Liverpool were relieved to see out only one goal behind after a lunging challenge by Angel Di Maria on Sadio Mane offered them a lifeline.
Liverpool took the game to PSG after the break but for all their pressure they could not crack their opponents, who used every trick in the book to take time out of the game, and it was the hosts who had the best chance with Alisson saving Marquinos’ header.
It is not what Klopp would have wanted having been top of Group C at the halfway stage but another electric Anfield night awaits against Napoli, 3-1 winners over Red Star Belgrade last night.
TOTTENHAM 1 INTER MILAN 0
Christian Eriksen ensured Tottenham’s bid to reach the knockout stages will go to the final group game after the Dane secured a late win over Inter Milan at Wembley.
Spurs, who endured a terrible start to their Group B campaign, were heading out of the competition as they were frustrated by a disruptive Inter side until Eriksen climbed off the bench to slam home an 80th-minute winner.
They are still outsiders to progress, however, and they will have to produce one of the most famous nights in the club’s history if they want to do it, as they have go to group winners Barcelona in a fortnight and match the result of Inter, who play at home to PSV Eindhoven.
Although they were made to work hard by the Italian side, who came to do a job knowing a point would seal their qualification, they deserved the win as Harry Winks earlier hit the crossbar and Jan Vertonghen somehow headed wide from close range.
They survived a nervy ending to secure a 1-0 win that meant Spurs moved into second in the group with a better head-to-head record against Inter.
Barcelona secured top spot in Group B with a 2-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven at the Philips Stadion.
Lionel Messi bagged a hat-trick when the two sides met at the Nou Camp in September and he took his tally against the Dutch champions to four goals in two games with a fine solo effort just after the hour mark.
He then provided a clever assist for Gerard Pique to double the visitors’ lead shortly afterwards and Barca held on despite Luuk De Jong’s goal.