Jamie O’Hara thinks that Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi could ‘expose’ Liverpool’s high defensive line.
Speaking during a supporter call-in on talkSPORT (1min), the pundit claimed that Liverpool would struggle against the PSG pair.
“You come up against a PSG who have got Mbappe and Messi,” said O’Hara.
“You play that high line that Liverpool play, and they play tonight, I think you could potentially get exposed.”
Liverpool’s high defensive line has become something of an obsession for pundits. Although it has proven its worth countless times, it is still seen as a potential weakness for The Reds.
Of course there are times that Liverpool get caught out from a ball over the top.
As recently as Saturday, Pablo Fornals had a brilliant chance for West Ham United at Anfield. Liverpool’s line wasn’t quite set-up correctly and the midfielder ran through for a one on one with Alisson Becker.
But as is often the case, Alisson’s quality thwarted the chance. Due to the quality of the players that Liverpool have, the rewards of the high-line usually outweigh the risks.
A mouth-watering prospect
Of course, O’Hara is right to point out the difficulties of facing PSG.
Mbappe in particular is frighteningly quick. With respect to the Inter Milan attackers, he would provide Liverpool with another level of danger than that posed by Lautaro Martinez and Alexis Sanchez on Tuesday night.
Not only does he have the pace to get in behind, he also has the cleverness to know exactly when to do it.
Messi is a different prospect entirely. He has never been one to play on the shoulder of the last defender. But he possesses a football brain like no other.
The 34-year-old is able to pick holes in even the most well-drilled of defences. With plenty of space to play passes into, and Mbappe, Neymar and Angel Di Maria to run onto them, it would be a real test for Virgil Van Dijk and co.
It would make for a brilliant match-up.
Liverpool fans were deprived of top-level football for what felt like an eternity during the 2010’s. Instead of fearing these kind of contests, they are something to savour.
If Liverpool do come up against Mauricio Pochettino’s team during the tournament, one thing is for sure: Jurgen Klopp won’t forego his high-line.
It may lead to bemusement amongst pundits, but Klopp trusts his defence and Alisson to get the better of any team on the planet.
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