Achraf Hakimi can expect a hostile reception at Anfield on Tuesday when Paris Saint-Germain return for the second leg of their Champions League tie. The Moroccan international sparked anger during PSG's last visit, when he placed a club flag in the centre circle after their penalty shootout victory over Liverpool.
Security staff were forced to intervene after Hakimi retrieved the flag from the end housing the jubilant away supporters. The 27-year-old snatched it back and held it aloft to the French fans, a provocative act that drew fury from the remaining Liverpool supporters inside the stadium.
PSG arrive on Merseyside with a two-goal cushion following goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the first leg. Arne Slot's side must overturn that deficit to keep their European campaign alive, a feat they last managed against Barcelona in 2019 when they recovered from three goals down.
Speaking after the first leg, Slot admitted his team had been in "survival mode" for large parts of the match. "We were in survival mode for large parts of the game – maybe also in the period of the season we are in," he said. "But, as I said, Paris Saint-Germain was the better team, but we didn't give up and that is why we still have a chance now."
Pressure on Slot eased slightly with a 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, with Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah on target. However, victory over Luis Enrique's side would require a dramatic improvement from the first-leg display.
