World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit dismisses PSG's win, calling Liverpool's defense a "traffic cone" and questioning the Premier League's quality.
It is hard for Emmanuel Petit to get excited about PSG's solid victory against Liverpool. For the World Cup winner, the English side was not up to the level, resulting in a non-event.
Drawn into the strongest and most prestigious side of the Champions League bracket, PSG is currently encountering no obstacles. Monaco was eliminated without truly convincing, before a step up in performance against Chelsea and an 8-2 aggregate thrashing. This Wednesday against Liverpool, a clean and clinical 2-0 scoreline reflected the difference in level between the two sides.
There is still a second leg at Anfield that could be completely different if the Reds wake up, but for Emmanuel Petit, it is nonetheless surprising to see a Liverpool side this toothless over 90 minutes. Matvey Safonov barely had his mustache ruffled outside of a few aerial claims, and PSG was not troubled at all by the reigning English champion, who did nothing to impress Emmanuel Petit.
That is what the RMC pundit said in his typically blunt remarks when he looked back on PSG's victory -- which he nonetheless significantly plays down.
"You are all so fully behind PSG. I have not seen this Liverpool side play this badly in ages! The individual performances were dreadful. Van Dijk was a traffic cone! And against that, PSG only scores two goals. I have never seen him play this poorly. PSG was very good, but the Premier League is dreadful this season. It is the same story against Chelsea, who were very poor. Maybe you are seeing PSG through rose-colored glasses," said the 1998 World Cup winner, convinced that if Paris advances, it will be a completely different story against Bayern Munich, should the Bavarians confirm their impressive victory at Real Madrid on Tuesday evening.
But before looking ahead to the semifinals, there is still a quarterfinal second leg to be played at Liverpool, and a superiority to be confirmed in order to eliminate yet another English side.
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