Arne Slot was vindicated after his brave decision to replace Mohamed Salah in the second half against Paris Saint-Germain - as substitute Harvey Elliott scored the winner for Liverpool with his first touch.
The Reds rode their luck during what was a testing encounter in the French capital, having faced sustained pressure throughout proceedings at Parc des Princes. When Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was denied an opener after being ruled offside in the build-up to his first half strike, it appeared that it would only be a matter of time before Les Parisiens broke the deadlock.
Having emerged from an onslaught in the first period, the Merseysiders found themselves weathering a storm once more after the break too - with Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola leading the charge for PSG, alongside usual suspect Kvaratskhelia. In truth, Slot had goalkeeper Alisson Becker to thank as scores stayed level heading into the final ten minutes of what proved to be a stern test of his side's mettle.
However, the Reds made their own luck as Luis Enrique's outfit started to show signs of fatigue following what had been an energetic display from the hosts. While the Spaniard was able to introduce Goncalo Ramos, Desire Doue and Warren Zaire-Emery from the bench, Slot duly responded by bringing on a quartet of reinforcements.
Handing cameo roles to midfielders Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones proved a masterstroke, as the pair added much-needed steel and balance in Liverpool's midfield during the closing stages. However, it will be the Dutchman's decision to take off talisman Salah which garners the most plaudits following the trip to Paris.
Withdrawing the attacking trio of Salah, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz represented something of a gamble from the Anfield boss. However, fortune favors the brave and, ultimately, it was Slot who was rewarded for his courageous call as substitutes Darwin Nunez and Elliott combined for the Reds' winner.
Harvey Elliott scored past Gianluigi Donnarumma to earn Liverpool victory over Paris Saint-Germain
Harvey Elliott scored past Gianluigi Donnarumma to earn Liverpool victory over Paris Saint-Germain (Image: Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
With top goalscorer Salah having notched a sublime 30 goals so far this term, his manager would have been forgiven for sticking to his guns in trusting the Egyptian to be the man to grab an unlikely winner in the dying embers of the game. Instead, he backed Elliott to deputize for the Egyptian for the remainder of what had been a frustrating evening for the visitors for the preceding 86 minutes of play.
Having been introduced just 47 seconds prior, the youngster latched onto a through ball from Nunez - who had taken the ball down after being found by Alisson. At first glance, a more casual observer could easily have mistaken Elliott for the man he had replaced on the field as he opened up his body, before calmly slotting the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
That strike was the former Fulham forward's first touch of the ball since crossing the white line, with his sumptuous finish sending the Reds fans in the stadium into rapturous celebrations. After what has been an injury-hit campaign for the talented ace, his joy was plain to see as Liverpool went on to claim what was undeniably a victory of the smash and grab variety.
Whether the Reds were deserving of their win will feel irrelevant for Slot, his players and the travelling supporters in the French capital on what proved to be the latest memorable European night in the club's rich history. Of course, the tie is only at its midway stage - but securing victory in such dramatic circumstances will fuel belief within Liverpool's squad heading into what promises to be a compelling second leg.
A boyhood Kopite, match-winner Elliott will not need telling either that his moment of clinical brilliance in the 87th minute may have earned him his own unique place in Anfield folklore. If Slot's men are able to secure a seventh European crown in June, the youngster can be assured that his place alongside fabled supersubs of yesteryear will be in no doubt.