Liverpool manager Arne Slot urges players to elevate their intensity during crucial ‘finals’ week.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has labelled the upcoming clash against Paris Saint-Germain as the second of “three finals” they face in a week, emphasising that the Premier League leaders must elevate their game significantly to secure a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Reds managed to leave the Parc des Princes with a slender 1-0 advantage last week, despite being thoroughly outplayed by the French giants, thanks in large part to a remarkable performance from goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

The Brazilian shot-stopper declared his nine-save effort was the “best performance of his career”.

Historically, Liverpool has never lost the first leg of a European match away from home while allowing that lead to slip at Anfield.

Nonetheless, Slot remains cautious, refusing to underestimate PSG based on their previous encounter.

Meanwhile, Luis Enrique expressed confidence that his team will “perform” despite suffering their first defeat in 23 matches.

Adding to Slot’s worries was the sluggish first half displayed by his team against Southampton, who sit at the bottom of the league, in a 3-1 victory that prompted the Dutch coach to make three substitutions at the break.

The Saints, having accumulated just nine points from 28 matches this season, surprisingly led until the interval before Darwin Nunez and two penalties from Mohamed Salah turned the tide, extending Liverpool’s lead at the Premier League summit to 15 points.

This week also sees the League Cup final against Newcastle on the horizon, as Slot pursues the treble in his inaugural season at the helm.

“That was the first of three finals,” he noted regarding the win over Southampton. “I hope we perform better in the next two finals.

“The only positive from the first half was that Southampton conserved their energy and didn’t exert themselves too much. It was perhaps the first time I’ve witnessed such a slow tempo this season.

“Reflecting on our game against PSG, we need to increase our intensity. However, when I compare it to today’s performance, we need to ramp it up by three, four, five, six, or even seven levels if we wish to have any chance of progressing.”

‘Going for us’

“The manager was really fired up,” the Egyptian stated. “Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.”

Slot has had little cause to lose his composure during his first nine months as Jurgen Klopp’s successor.

However, he has shown a relentless side when necessary to steer Liverpool towards a potential treble, which would include the league title and Champions League.

Harvey Elliott scored a crucial winner in Paris with his very first touch after coming on for Salah, who had a less-than-stellar performance.

Nunez’s work rate had come under scrutiny from his manager following disappointing outings against Wolves and Aston Villa, where he squandered a golden opportunity to clinch victory last month.

He has since responded, providing the assist for Elliott at the Parc des Princes and igniting the comeback against Southampton with his first goal in 11 matches.

Many believed Nunez would be among those replaced in Slot’s trio of half-time substitutions, yet he justified his manager’s faith with his performance.

“I always dislike the thought of substituting someone who has the potential to score if we need goals,” Slot remarked.

“That’s just the life of a striker – you can transition from missing a chance to scoring a pivotal goal.”

Following a tough encounter in Paris, Slot is resolute about ensuring Liverpool does not repeat past mistakes as they aim for a seventh European Cup.