Image Credits: Getty Images
Liverpool pulled off a stunning 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League Round of 16 first leg at the Parc des Princes, defying the odds in a match where they were outplayed for nearly the entire 90 minutes.
Harvey Elliott’s late goal and Alisson Becker’s heroic performance ensured the Reds left Paris with an improbable advantage, setting up a tantalizing second leg at Anfield.
The star of the night was undoubtedly Alisson Becker, whose nine saves kept PSG’s relentless attack at bay.
Facing 27 shots from a side boasting the likes of Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Bradley Barcola, Alisson delivered what he described as “the performance of my life.” His efforts were instrumental in preserving Liverpool’s clean sheet and giving them a chance to snatch victory.
PSG dominated possession (70%) and created numerous high-quality chances, generating an expected goals on target (xGOT) value of 2.26.
Yet Alisson stood firm, making six diving saves and denying multiple close-range efforts, including a deflected strike from Kvaratskhelia and a curling shot from substitute Désiré Doué.
Alisson Becker vs PSG Value
Saves 9
Goals Prevented (xGOT faced) 2.26
Accurate Passes 10/28 (37%)
Accurate Long Balls 10/22 (45%)
Recoveries 11
His ability to read the game and react instinctively under pressure was nothing short of extraordinary.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot hailed Alisson as “the best goalkeeper in the world,” emphasizing that without him, Liverpool’s chances in this competition could have been over.
Slot added, “To go away with a win here was probably a bit more than we deserved.”
And after the game, Alisson was quizzed by ESPN Brazil whether he deserves more respect and recognition from Brazilian fans within his own country:
“We like recognition, maybe it’s not so much respect. I think that when you say, ‘you have to respect me’, you’re a little arrogant, right?” Alisson began as translated by Sport Witness.
“But a little more recognition would be good. Now, I understand criticism, it’s part of football.”
“When it’s constructive, I listen to it and take it to myself, but when I see that there are exaggerations and personal preferences, I don’t even pay attention.”
“After all, I feel the appreciation within my club. You know how I’m valued here, so I feel much more affection than the opposite.”
“This is part of it, it comes along with the results of the competitions, I hope that this level of performance turns into titles with Liverpool, and also into the Brazilian national team.”
Read More: French media react to Liverpool ‘robbery’ over PSG
Entrevista completa com Alisson, o intransponível: pic.twitter.com/6g4LJ75GLT
— Fred Caldeira (@fredcaldeira) March 6, 2025
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