Liverpool's Top-Five Hopes Under Threat After PSG Defeat

Liverpool's chances of finishing in the top five are under threat after a disappointing 2-0 loss to Paris St-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. The Reds face a tough run-in, with the most challenging fixtures among the Premier League sides chasing a top-five finish. Arne Slot's tactics were criticized by Jamie Carragher, who said the manager got it "massively wrong" in Paris. Liverpool have won just two of their last eight games, increasing the pressure on the team. With only two wins in their past eight matches, the Reds are feeling the heat. Their FA Cup defeat to Manchester City has ended their hopes of domestic silverware, and qualification for next season's Champions League is far from certain. Liverpool currently occupy fifth place, which would secure a spot in Europe's elite competition, but Chelsea are only one point behind, and Brentford and Everton are just a win away from catching up. The Reds have the toughest remaining fixtures according to league position, which has contributed to Opta's season predictor giving them only a 54.9 per cent chance of finishing in the top five. Slot will need to come up with a new strategy when Liverpool host Fulham on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports. The Liverpool boss can point to his team's ability to deliver big performances and wins at Anfield, and back-to-back successes against Fulham and PSG would significantly change the narrative in a week. However, alarming statistics, including a league-high nine points dropped from goals conceded in the 90th minute or later, will be a concern for Slot as his team seeks a response to salvage their season. Liverpool have won just four of their last 13 Premier League games and have struggled with shot conversion, ranking second in the league for shots but 16th for shot conversion. They have also failed to win any of their three Premier League matches against Fulham under Slot and have lost 16 matches in all competitions, their most in a season since 2014/15.