Liverpool: Arne Slot makes Manuel Neuer comparison after PSG Champions League loss | OneFootball

Reds are still alive in Champions League tie thanks to the performance of their No2 goalkeeper

Arne Slot has singled out Giorgi Mamardashvili for praise following Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool have it all to do in next week’s Champions League quarter-final second leg as goals in either half from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has put the holders in control of the tie.

That said, the Reds are quite fortunate to only have conceded twice at the Parc des Princes as Ousmane Dembele missed a golden chance at 1-0 before hitting the post in the closing stages.

Sandwiched between those moments was Mamardashvili saving from Doue, Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi as PSG pushed for a third goal.

Speaking to TNT Sports afterwards, Slot was full of praise for the Georgia international - who is standing in for the injured Alisson Becker - and even made a comparison with Bayern Munich legend Manuel Neuer.

“Very crucial,” Slot admitted.

“I watched the game yesterday between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich and I saw Manuel Neuer being very, very important for Bayern Munich, making a lot of good saves and I think that’s what Giorgi had to do for us.

“You need performances like that against a team like Paris Saint-Germain. You need a hardworking team that tries to do everything to prevent them from scoring.

Arne Slot had sympathy for Giorgi Mamardashvili after being beaten by Desire Doue’s deflected effort

AFP via Getty Images

“I think that’s what we saw but it was difficult.

“The moment when we needed Giorgi, he was there for us.

“Unfortunately for him the first one was deflected but he played a very good game today.”

Before the second leg at Anfield in six days time, Liverpool return to Premier League action against Fulham at the weekend as they seek to hold on to fifth place.

PSG, meanwhile, will be fully rested for the trip to Merseyside as their game against Lens has been postponed.