Moments you may not have spotted during Liverpool's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening
Paris, France - April 8: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC gestures during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at Parc des Princes on April 8, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk gestures during the Champions League loss at Paris Saint-Germain (Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
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Liverpool have given themselves a tough task to continue in the Champions League after they were beaten 2-0 at holders Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening. A deflected Desire Doue opener was added to by a Khvicha Kvaratskhelia strike in the quarter-final first leg clash.
The result means Arne Slot's side have now lost three successive games in all competitions and they are in danger of missing out on silverware for the first time since 2023.
But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at the Parc des Princes...
Virgil vexed
Slot threw something of a curveball before the game by sending Liverpool out in a formation they had never used before during his tenure with five players at the back.
Needless to say, while it confused the PSG players for a small time, it was even more unsettling for the visitors who didn’t always look as though they knew exactly where everyone should be.
Not least one moment in the second half when Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were guilty of both going for the same ball down the left flank, which prompted a strong rebuke from the Reds skipper towards his team-mate. Steady on, chaps.
Konate quiet
Referee Jose Maria Sanchez didn’t exactly endear himself to the Liverpool players with some of his decisions, not least when penalising Gomez with a yellow card for what any sane person could immediately see was a perfectly-executed sliding tackle.
But his eventual decision to overturn a penalty award against Ibrahima Konate prompted the defender to turn towards the travelling support and start whirling his arms in encouragement.
On a night when there was little for the Reds to celebrate, it was at least something. Konate, though, was wise to keep any delight to himself when a last-minute push on Nuno Mendes wasn’t seen as worthy of a spot kick.
Salah saluted
With Liverpool mustering no real shots on goal and very little attacking threat, some might have questioned why Mohamed Salah remained on the bench throughout in Paris.
But that didn’t stop the Egyptian being given a rousing reception from the 2,000-strong away support when he joined the rest of the substitutes going through their usual warmdown after the match.
And there was even time for a handshake with Steven Gerrard – who, no doubt imagining the potential headlines, almost thought twice about the offer – and Steve McManaman before trotting back to the dressing room.
Trey bien, Vitinha
Many are quick to berate footballers for the slightest indiscretion. So it’s only fair the spotlight is shone on a nice touch after the final whistle.
PSG midfielder Vitinha, who had helped the home side control the engine room, was spotted waiting a full 20 minutes on the touchline after the game.
The reason? He had promised to exchange shirts with Liverpool teenager Trey Nyoni, who came on for the final few moments at the Parc des Princes. It’s a gesture the youngster surely won’t forget.