PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 05: Alisson Becker of Liverpool celebrates with team mate Virgil van Dijk after Harvey Elliott of Liverpool (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool FC at Parc des Princes on March 05, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ryan Pierse - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Alisson Becker celebrates with Virgil van Dijk after Harvey Elliott scores Liverpool's winner at Paris Saint-Germain
Harvey Elliott scored a remarkable late winner as Liverpool survived a barrage from Paris Saint-Germain to earn an unlikely 1-0 triumph in their Champions League round of 16 first leg at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening. The Reds were indebted to an outstanding goalkeeping performance from Alisson Becker before Elliott struck with his first touch off the bench in the 87th minute for the winner.
The result means Arne Slot's side are in a good position going into the second leg at Anfield in a fortnight having inflicted a first defeat on PSG since November.
Here the ECHO rates the Liverpool players after a very difficult but ultimately victorious night in France.
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Alisson Becker 10
Made two excellent stops to deny Kvaratskhelia, another to keep out Dembele and basically kept Liverpool in the game before the break. Less busy second half but superb to keep out Doue late on. The perfect goalkeeping performance.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 7
Difficult time up against Barcola but stuck at it and one good piece of covering first half. Needed to be alert as Kvaratskhelia started to drift over to his flank second half and improved defensively.
Ibrahima Konate 6
Escaped a penalty and possible red for challenge on Barcola and done by Kvaratskhelia for one chance. Slightly more composed as Liverpool sorted themselves out after break.
Virgil van Dijk 7
Stood up to PSG forwards, particularly at set-pieces, and set the example others started following second half. So important when defending set-pieces. Booked.
Andy Robertson 6
Found Dembele very difficult to handle early on but wasn’t only one, and couldn’t be faulted for work-rate. Helped ensure the winger wasn’t quite as much a threat second half.
Ryan Gravenberch 4
A couple of good moments in possession before break but too often hounded out of it and became frustrated with himself. One poor header almost put in PSG. Subbed.
Alexis Mac Allister 5
Too soft when trying to tackle Dembele and the game was largely played around him before break. Contributed to defensive effort second half, though.
Mohamed Salah 5
Bested by Mendes in terms of physicality far too often but didn’t get much service. Lacked quality and clarity when finding some positions second half. Rare off night. Subbed.
Dominik Szoboszlai 6
Plenty of running and at least tried to hound PSG into mistakes, and made one great block first half. The one Liverpool player to regularly offer any sort of attacking threat from midfield.
Luis Diaz 4
Failed to offer much going forward before break and defensively didn’t always pick right option. Slightly better second half but not by much. Subbed.
Diogo Jota 5
Didn’t make most of rare space in one first-half incident and wasn’t able to hold ball up particularly well, but did start to cause issues with pressing. Subbed.
SUBS
Darwin Nunez (for Jota 67) 8
Put himself about and did defensive job, ending up on the left wing. Did so well to set up the opener.
Curtis Jones (for Diaz 67) 8
Ability to keep hold of the ball for more than two seconds at least offered Liverpool some temporary respite and became big influence in closing stages.
Wataru Endo (for Gravenberch 79) 7
Defensive qualities were required as PSG continued to press.
Harvey Elliott (for Salah 86) 8
Introduced on to the right flank and scored the winner with his first touch. Remarkable.