By LEWIS STEELE
Published: 17:25 EST, 5 March 2025 | Updated: 17:36 EST, 5 March 2025
Liverpool survived a siege of pressure in Paris on Wednesday night as the Reds escaped with a 1-0 win in the first leg of their Last 16 clash with PSG after a Harvey Elliott smash and grab.
Despite storming through the Champions League league phase, Liverpool were subdued against PSG, and with three minutes to play looked to be heading back to Anfield level.
The tie had been billed as a clash that could be decided by either Mohamed Salah and Ousmane Dembele, both of whom have been in stunning form for their respective sides this season.
But within 47 seconds of entering the fray, Elliott finished low into the bottom corner via a Gianluigi Donnarumma glove to secure a huge win for Arne Slot and Co with his first touch since coming on.
In addition to having 10 shots on target, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a goal disallowed in the first half, but despite dominating the tie, PSG are left a goal behind with it all to do in the return leg at Anfield.
Here, Mail Sport's Lewis Steele runs the rule over the stars on show at the Parc des Princes, highlighting who impressed the most, and who leaves the French capital knowing they could have offered something more.
Harvey Elliott scored a sensational late goal to steal a 1-0 for Liverpool up against PSG
Within 47 seconds of entering the fray from the bench Elliott had netted the winner for his side
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had seen a goal disallowed in the first half on a frustrating night for PSG
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (4-3-3)
Gianluigi Donnarumma - 6
Had nothing to do in the first half as Liverpool mustered zero shots on target.
Made a good interception for a long, troubling ball over the top. Should have done better with Elliott’s goal.
Achraf Hakimi - 6.5
Often offered an outlet ball for team-mates and did a good job on Luis Diaz going the other way.
Marquinhos - 7 (Booked)
The 30-year-old skipper showed his experience to guide a very young team through this tough test. He came out on top of nearly every battle he had with Diogo Jota.
Gianluigi Donnarumma had a quiet first half but should have done better for Elliott's late goal
Marquinhos did brilliantly to guide his young team through the tie and dominated Diogo Jota
Willian Pacho - 7.5
Ecuadorian centre back was positive in possession and did his job defensively. Made two big tackles on Salah as Liverpool started to threaten more just after the hour mark.
Nuno Mendes - 7.5
A loose touch early doors but kept Salah very quiet overall. A very pleasing performance.
Joao Neves - 7.5
Had a glorious chance to open the scoring in the first half but shot over. Buzzed around and was always available to receive the ball.
Vitinha - 8
A titanic performance from the little lad in midfield for Paris Saint-Germain. Always playing positive passes, never stopped running and seemed to pop up everywhere.
Vitinha put in a titanic performance in midfield for PSG, and was positive when in possession
Fabian Ruiz - 7.5
Had the better of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister throughout and was another calming presence in midfield for PSG.
Bradley Barcola - 7.5
Was unlucky on several occasions and the 22-year-old caused all sorts of problems for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Co. A huge prospect.
Ousmane Dembele - 6
Destroyed Andy Robertson with an early run but was quiet otherwise and would have liked to have more space to exploit.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - 7.5
Stunning strike was chalked off for offside but a bright display otherwise, always creating danger.
Ousmane Dembele had a quiet night despite destroying Andy Robertson early on
Substitutes:
Desire Doue (for Barcola, 66min) - 6
Goncalo Ramos (for Kvaratskhelia, 78min) - NA
Walter Zaire-Emery (for Ruiz, 78min) - NA
Subs not used: Safonov, Tenas, Beraldo, Hernandez, Kimpembe, Lee Kang-In, Mayulu, Mbaye.
Manager:
Luis Enrique - 7.5
Better finishing and his team could have put this tie to bed. Instead, they go to Anfield with a small mountain to climb.
Luis Enrique's side would have put this tie to bet in the first leg but for their wasteful finishing
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1)
Alisson - 9.5
Anyone still doubting that Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the world? If so, watch this game.
Without the Brazil No 1, Liverpool would have been dead and buried by half time.
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5
Struggled to impact the game in an attacking sense and Barcola got the better of him going the other way.
Ibrahima Konate - 8
Some may say he was lucky to avoid a red card for a push on Barcola when last man back but Konate was excellent otherwise, making some big blocks.
Alisson reaffirmed his credentials as the best goalkeeper in the world against PSG
Ibrahima Konate put in a number of important blocks to keep his side in the tie after avoiding a red
Virgil van Dijk - 7 (Booked)
Captain’s leadership was needed as PSG flooded Liverpool with attack after attack.
Andy Robertson - 5
Had a tough night up against Kvaratskhelia and when Dembele drifted on to his side.
Ryan Gravenberch - 5
Vitinha, Fabian and Neves did not give Gravenberch a second of peace. He loves playing on the half-turn but simply was not allowed.
Alexis Mac Allister - 7
A relentless runner and led Liverpool’s press but often could not get near PSG’s multifaceted midfield.
Ryan Gravenberch was one of three Liverpool players to pick up a rating of just 5/10
Mohamed Salah - 6
Had to feed off scraps and saw little of the ball in the opening stages.
Dominik Szoboszlai - 6
An important player for Liverpool and perhaps their best player in the last month but not his best night here. Never stopped working off the ball, though.
Luis Diaz - 6
Had a few unlucky moments when a better touch would have been needed. Put in a solid shift going the other way.
Diogo Jota - 6
Not a good night for the Portuguese No 9. Has had a few sights of the ball and could have led a counter-attack but touch has often let him down
Mohamed Salah was far from his lethal best and was left feeding of scraps in Paris
Luis Diaz had a few moments where his touch let him down but put in a shift defensively
Substitutes:
Curtis Jones (for Jota, 67min) - 6
Darwin Nunez (for Diaz, 67min) - 7.5
Wataru Endo (for Gravenberch, 78min) - NA
Harvey Elliott (for Salah, 86min) - NA
Subs not used: Kelleher, Jaros, Chiesa, Tsimikas, McConnell, Quansah, Nyoni.
Manager:
Arne Slot - 8
Arne Slot's said were made to suffer in Paris but ultimately got their rewards with a late goal
Said his team would have to suffer and boy did they do that. A strong defensive display and they got their rewards in the end.
Referee:
Davide Massa (Italy) - 6
Some big calls early doors including not to send off Konate for a shove on Barcola.