LIVERPOOL: Liverpool boss Arne Slot described Paris Saint Germain´s visit as the second of “three finals” in a week, but has warned much more is needed from the Premier League leaders to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Reds escaped the Parc des Princes with a 1-0 lead last week despite being battered by the French champions, who came up against an inspired Alisson Becker in the Liverpool goal. The Brazilian number one said his nine-save display was the “performance of his life”.

Never before have Liverpool won the first leg of a European tie away and let the lead slip at Anfield. However, Slot is taking nothing for granted based on what he saw from PSG. Luis Enrique remained upbeat his side are “going to do it” despite suffering a first defeat in 23 games. Adding to Slot´s concern was the lethargic first 45 minutes from his side against rock bottom Southampton in Saturday´s 3-1 win that forced the Dutchman into three half-time substitutions.

The Saints, who have won just nine points from 28 games all season, took a shock lead into the break before Darwin Nunez and two Mohamed Salah penalties turned the game around to stretch Liverpool´s lead at the top of the Premier League to 15 points.

The League Cup final against Newcastle is also around the corner on Sunday with Slot very much on track for a treble in his first season in charge. “The first of three finals,” he said of the victory over Southampton. “I do hope the next two finals we will play a bit better than the first one.

“The only good thing in the first 45 minutes was that they saved their energy (or PSG) and didn´t run at all. It was maybe the first time this season I saw this tempo. “I always hate the idea, if we need to score goals, to take someone off that can score a goal,” added Slot.