Liverpool secured a crucial 1-0 victory over PSG in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie, riding their luck but showing immense resilience throughout the match.
PSG dominated large portions of the game, particularly in the first half, but Liverpool’s defense, led by the heroic Alisson Becker, held firm. The Parisians were unlucky not to open the scoring early, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia having a goal disallowed for offside following a VAR review.
PSG continued to create chances, with Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, and Achraf Hakimi causing problems for Liverpool’s defense. However, Alisson produced a series of excellent saves, keeping the hosts at bay.
Liverpool, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm in attack. Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz were well-contained by PSG’s defense, while Diogo Jota found it hard to impose himself in a game of this intensity.
It wasn’t until the 87th minute that Liverpool managed to break the deadlock. Arne Slot made a key substitution, replacing Salah with Harvey Elliott, and he made an instant impact. A clever assist from Darwin Núñez found Elliott in the box, and he made no mistake, firing past Gianluigi Donnarumma for the winner.
While PSG will feel disappointed with their inability to convert, Liverpool’s clinical finishing and resolute defense meant they left Paris with a slender 1-0 lead, heading back to Anfield with the advantage.
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Liverpool player ratings vs. PSG
The player ratings are provided by OneFootball.
Alisson – 10.0 (Man of the match)
Alisson was the standout player in the match, producing a string of world-class saves to keep PSG out. His shot-stopping ability was crucial to Liverpool’s success, and without him, the Reds would have struggled to leave Paris with a clean sheet.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8.0
A strong defensive performance from Alexander-Arnold, who made crucial interventions, including a timely clearance to deny Hakimi. While Liverpool’s attack was subdued, he continued to offer options in possession and delivered some raking passes.
Ibrahima Konaté – 8.0
Konaté had a solid performance at the back, although he was fortunate to escape a red card after a VAR review for his challenge on Bradley Barcola. Despite this, he defended well and was a key part of Liverpool’s defensive resilience.
Virgil van Djik – 8.0
Van Dijk was a commanding presence at the back, organizing the defense and making several key clearances under pressure. While Alisson was the star, Van Dijk’s leadership and defensive awareness were essential to keeping PSG at bay.
Andy Robertson – 7.0
Robertson was defensively solid throughout, even as he faced the threat of Ousmane Dembélé, who later switched to the right flank. His focus and experience were invaluable in keeping PSG from finding joy down his side.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6.0
It wasn’t his best night in midfield, with PSG’s midfield dominance testing his fitness and composure. He was replaced by Wataru Endo in the 79th minute, but Gravenberch’s effort and work rate couldn’t be faulted.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8.0
Szoboszlai continued to press forward despite the team being under constant pressure. His energy and work rate were critical in helping Liverpool move the ball through the lines and stay compact defensively.
Alexis Mac Allister – 7.0
Mac Allister’s intelligence in midfield allowed him to break up PSG’s play and keep Liverpool ticking. His tactical discipline and passing were key in maintaining the team’s structure, and he avoided a yellow card, which was crucial for the second leg.
Mohamed Salah – 5.9
A disappointing performance from Salah, who struggled to impact the game. He was well-marked by Nuno Mendes and made poor decisions, including a wasteful cross when Liverpool had a rare counter-attack. He was eventually substituted for Harvey Elliott.
Luis Díaz – 6.0
Díaz was unable to isolate Hakimi on the right and was generally ineffective in attack. He worked hard but didn’t make the desired impact and was replaced by Curtis Jones after 67 minutes.
Diogo Jota – 5.0
Jota found himself dropping deeper to link up play, but his touch was clumsy, and he struggled to impose himself on the game. With Cody Gakpo out, Jota was asked to lead the line but lacked the pace and energy required for such a high-intensity game.
Substitutes
Curtis Jones (on for Díaz, 67′) – 7.0
Jones brought much-needed energy and aggression to Liverpool’s midfield, helping to turn the tide in the second half. His presence allowed Liverpool to stabilize and put pressure on PSG.
Darwin Núñez (on for Jota, 67′) – 7.0
Núñez made an immediate impact with his direct running and tireless work. His pace and drive in attack were crucial, and he provided the assist for Elliott’s match-winning goal.
Wataru Endo (on for Gravenberch, 79′) – 7.0
Endo was effective in breaking up PSG’s counter-attacks, including one crucial sliding challenge. His defensive contributions were vital in the closing stages.
Harvey Elliott (on for Salah, 87′) – 8.0
Elliott’s impact was immediate, scoring the only goal of the match with his first touch. A fantastic moment for the young midfielder, sending a message to the manager after a tough season.
Arne Slot – 9.0
Slot’s tactical decisions were key to Liverpool’s success. His substitutions, particularly bringing on Elliott, Núñez, and Endo, all proved inspired and had a decisive impact on the game. His management ensured Liverpool capitalized on PSG’s dominance and seized the late victory.
Overall team performance – 8
Despite being under pressure for most of the match, Liverpool’s defensive resilience, Alisson’s brilliance, and the timely contributions from the substitutes secured a hard-fought 1-0 win. Liverpool showed great character to withstand immense pressure from PSG and capitalise when the chance arose.
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