In an intense Champions League round-of-16 first-leg clash, Liverpool secured a dramatic 1-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Parc des Princes. The English club was under pressure for most of the game but managed to steal the win in the final moments.
Elliott’s Heroic Late Goal
Liverpool’s substitute, Harvey Elliott, became the hero of the night when he netted the only goal just 47 seconds after coming onto the pitch. In the 87th minute, Darwin Núñez set up Elliott, who calmly placed the ball past PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, sealing an unexpected victory for the visitors.
Alisson’s Stunning Performance
Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson Becker was the backbone of the team’s success. He produced multiple incredible saves throughout the game, denying PSG’s relentless attacks. His heroic efforts kept Liverpool in the match despite their struggles in defense.
PSG’s Missed Opportunities
PSG dominated possession and created plenty of chances, taking a total of 28 shots compared to Liverpool’s mere two attempts. The home team’s frustration grew as João Neves missed a golden opportunity in the 16th minute, followed by a disallowed goal from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia due to an offside decision in the 20th minute.
Bradley Barcola also had a penalty appeal denied after a VAR check, adding to PSG’s disappointment. Despite their attacking power, PSG failed to find the back of the net.
Match Statistics
| Statistic | PSG | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 70.5% | 29.5% |
| Shots on Goal | 10 | 1 |
| Shot Attempts | 27 | 2 |
| Fouls | 3 | 7 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 1 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Corner Kicks | 14 | 2 |
| Saves | 0 | 9 |
Tactical Battle and Late Drama
Liverpool struggled to impose their usual high-pressing game. Manager Arne Slot made crucial substitutions, bringing in Curtis Jones and Darwin Núñez to change the momentum. Though PSG continued to dominate, fatigue caught up with them, and Liverpool capitalized in the dying minutes.
Post-Match Reactions
After the match, Liverpool’s goal scorer Elliott expressed his delight, saying, “PSG looked tired towards the end. I just had to take my chance, and luckily it went in.”
Meanwhile, Alisson, who was named Man of the Match, admitted the game was tough. “ We had to suffer a lot. They had so many chances, but in the end, we got the win. It was a great night for us.”
On the other side, PSG midfielder Vitinha remained confident despite the loss. “We played well and deserved to win. We will go to Anfield and show our character.”
What’s Next?
With this narrow win, Liverpool takes a crucial advantage into the second leg at Anfield next Tuesday. PSG will need to step up their finishing if they want to turn the tie around.
The winner of this clash will face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the quarterfinals. Fans can expect another thrilling encounter in the return leg!
