Maybe caught out of position for the opening goal but kept Liverpool in the tie in the first half with two big saves.placeholder image
Maybe caught out of position for the opening goal but kept Liverpool in the tie in the first half with two big saves. | Getty Images
Liverpool player ratings from the 2-0 loss to PSG in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Liverpool’s ambitions of winning silverware this season are in serious jeopardy after a 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
While the Reds will maintain hope they can turn around the tie in next week’s return clash at Anfield, they were completely overpowered by the quality and dynamism of the reigning European champions.
PSG will rue how they only scored twice in the Parc des Princes showdown, while Arne Slot’s side were largely toothless - and the head coach remains under significant pressure. Liverpool fell to a third successive loss in all competitions - and have somewhat of a mountain to climb if they are to produce their latest European comeback.
Liverpool deployed a five-man defence hoping that it would provide solidity - but they were breached within 11 minutes. Desire Doue was afforded too much space to shoot, with his effort deflecting off Reds midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and looping over goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
In truth, Liverpool were fortunate they did not fall further behind before half-time, with Mamardashvili making good saves from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Doue.
And it didn’t get much better for the Reds in the second period. Ousmane Dembele, who won the Ballon d’Or last year, blazed a glorious chance over the crossbar. But Kvaratskhelia made no mistake on 65 minutes when he drove into the box and kept his composure to finish.
PSG thought they had a chance to kill the tie off when they were awarded a penalty, with Ibrahima Konate adjudged to have fouled Warren Zaïre-Emery. However, a VAR check overturned the decision.
Yet the Ligue 1 giants continued to dominate and lacked a ruthlessness in the final third, while Dembele hammered an effort against the post. Liverpool are still in the tie and will hope the power of Anfield can inspire a turnaround similar - but they will have to improve significantly.
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