Paris Saint-Germain is now Europe’s best side. That’s both fact and opinion.
Saturday’s Champions League final victory means the Parisians can now claim the title of the continent’s preeminent club, and few who witnessed the 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan, or the club’s route to Munich, would argue with that sentiment.
But, 20 years on from Istanbul, Liverpool fans know that winning the Champions League doesn’t necessarily equate to being Europe’s best. It’s what makes the achievements of Rafael Benitez’s 2005 side even more remarkable.
There are no such suggestions for this PSG team, which plays with an unparalleled relentlessness, offers perplexing attacking variations and presses instantly out of possession.
Yet seeing the French champions lift the trophy will have stung some around Anfield, particularly given that Liverpool was considered Europe's top side for long spells of the season. Luis Enrique even admitted that before the clubs met in March’s last-16 double header.
It showed over the two legs, with Liverpool coming closer than anyone to denying PSG a maiden European crown. It took penalties to settle the tie after 210 minutes, in which both teams enjoyed prolonged spells on top.
On the night, Arne Slot claimed the second leg was among the best games he has ever been involved in, and routinely referenced that match throughout the coming months.
Marquinhos lifts the Champions League trophy.
PSG earned its first Champions League triumph thanks to a 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final
In truth, the Premier League and Ligue 1 winners would have made for a worthy final on Saturday rather than the lopsided affair that was served up. Inter is a good side, but the showdown in Germany left many wondering how the side that endured a trophy-less campaign managed to claim a spot in the showpiece occasion.
It was PSG’s easiest game of the Champions League knockouts, certainly a simpler assignment than eliminating Liverpool, or even sixth-place Aston Villa. Given Unai Emery’s side scored three without reply and was one goal away from forcing extra-time at Villa Park, perhaps it was they who rattled PSG more than anyone else.
Arsenal didn’t push Enrique’s forces to the same extent, even if they did have to weather the storm at times. But when the history books are written, PSG will look back to that toss-of-a-coin win over Liverpool as the pivotal moment of destiny.
It underlines that the Reds pushed Europe’s best to the limit, the only team PSG required the judges' scores to overcome.
Ousmane Dembele of Paris St Germain celebrates with his teammates after scoring their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 2nd Leg match between Liverpool and Paris St Germain at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on March 11, 2025.
Liverpool was eliminated from the Champions League at the hands of PSG in March (Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
There is no trophy for that, and it will mean little to Liverpool supporters, but it indicates that the Reds are better placed than anyone else to prise the big-eared trophy from PSG next term.
Given that Liverpool, who finished top of the Champions League’s league phase, is set to strengthen significantly this summer, suggests it may be in a better position to earn a seventh European crown next season.
That said, PSG is one of the few clubs that will have a greater transfer war chest to spend this summer. It’s difficult to imagine both not being involved in the latter 2025/26 Champions League stages.
There are also stylistic similarities between the teams. Both operate with midfielders who retain possession but look to play expansively and with penetration, have a reliance on attacks from wide and utilize a fluid front three. Liverpool also looks likely to play with more dynamic full-backs next term, a major quality of the new European champions.
The big difference is that PSG ended the season with three trophies, and Liverpool just one. As he heads off for a summer break, that will not have escaped the attention of Arne Slot, who may already be plotting how to overthrow the continent’s elite side.