Thursday’s briefing: Slot problems persist in Paris after another Liverpool loss

Liverpool and Arne Slot endured more misery as they were beaten 2-0 by holders Paris St Germain in the Champions League, while Barcelona also suffered a shock loss.

Unai Emery looked back at Aston Villa’s European history and Leicester fail in the appeal against their six-point deduction.

Problems continue for under-fire Slot

Liverpool’s Champions League hopes look bleak after Paris St Germain ran out deserved 2-0 winners against Arne Slot’s stumbling side in the quarter-final first leg in France.

Slot was already under heavy pressure after Saturday’s humiliating 4-0 FA Cup exit at Manchester City and a deflected Desire Doue effort and excellent Khvicha Kvaratskhelia strike turned up the heat.

The holders are now in control heading into Tuesday’s return at Anfield and would boast an even greater advantage were it not for poor finishing and important saves by goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Ten-man Barca beaten at home by Atletico

Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth struck as Atletico Madrid stunned 10-man Barcelona to win the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final 2-0.

Alvarez curled home a stunning free-kick after Pau Cubarsi’s dismissal and Sorloth tightened Atletico’s grip on the tie with a second 20 minutes from time at the Nou Camp.

Barca, who beat the same opponents in LaLiga on Saturday, were left to rue missed chances before and after Cubarsi’s red card for hauling down Giuliano Simeone.

Emery draws inspiration from Villa history

Unai Emery says Aston Villa’s history means he feels a “responsibility” to succeed ahead of their Europa League quarter-final first-leg clash with Bologna.

Emery’s team have built momentum in Europe after reaching the Conference League semi-finals in 2024 and the Champions League quarter-finals last season.

Referencing the club’s European Cup triumph in 1982, Emery said: “Aston Villa’s history is a massive history in a lot of things.

“It is something that makes us responsible, and makes us feel that we are in a club that was successful in Europe.”

Foxes fail in appeal against points deduction

Leicester have lost their appeal against a six-point deduction for breaching spending rules, leaving them in serious danger at the bottom of the Championship.

The sanction, imposed by an independent commission for breaches of EFL profit and sustainability rules up to 2024, has been upheld in full by an appeal board.

The Foxes sit 22nd, one point from safety with five games left and the side above them – Portsmouth – have a game in hand.

Leicester said in a statement: “With the matter now at an end and five games of the season remaining, everyone at the club is fully focused on the matches in front of us.”

Summerville poised to return for Hammers

Crysencio Summerville is expected to return for West Ham’s crunch relegation showdown with Wolves on Friday.

The Dutch winger has been sidelined for just over a month since suffering a calf injury in the FA Cup win over Brentford.

Before that, the 24-year-old had driven the Hammers’ belated Premier League survival bid, scoring seven goals in 10 matches.

“He’s improving. We are positive,” said manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

What’s on today?

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are at Bologna and Porto respectively for the first legs of their Europa League quarter-finals. Crystal Palace host Fiorentina in their Europa Conference League opener.