- PSG’s Dominance in Possession Falls Short Against Liverpool.
- Alisson Becker’s Heroics and Harvey Elliott’s Late Winner.
- What’s Next for PSG and Liverpool After the First-Leg Clash?
Liverpool have secured a crucial 1-0 victory against PSG in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash at Parc des Princes.
Despite PSG’s dominant performance, a late goal from Harvey Elliott sealed the win for the Premier League leaders, giving them an advantage heading into the second leg at Anfield.
PSG Dominate Possession but Fail to Capitalize
For much of the game, PSG controlled possession, dictating play with 71% ball possession and 10 shots on target, compared to Liverpool’s single shot on goal.
Luis Enrique’s side strung together 694 passes, more than double Liverpool’s 295, and won multiple corner kicks.
However, Liverpool’s defensive resilience and Alisson Becker’s heroics ensured that PSG could not break the deadlock.
The Parisians thought they had taken the lead when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia found the net, but the goal was ruled offside.
Another controversial moment came when Bradley Barcola appeared to be fouled inside the box by Ibrahima Konaté, but the referee waved play on.
Alisson’s Brilliance and Liverpool’s Only Shot on Target
The defining moment came in the 87th minute when Alisson Becker, who was later named Man of the Match, launched a long ball forward.
Darwin Núñez controlled it brilliantly before setting up Harvey Elliott, who slotted a composed left-footed finish past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Despite facing relentless PSG attacks, Alisson Becker delivered a stellar performance, making several crucial saves to keep Liverpool in the game.
Also Read: Jurgen Klopp Unhappy with Liverpool’s Performance in Europa League Defeat to Atalanta
Allison’s shot-stopping ability was the difference as he denied Dembélé, Barcola, and Joao Neves, frustrating PSG’s frontline.
Liverpool’s victory came against the run of play, with only one shot on target throughout the match.
Despite their struggles in midfield and attack, Arne Slot’s side made their one opportunity count.
Reactions and Key Takeaways
The official PSG website summed up the frustration:
> “A dominant performance tonight but it ends in defeat.
Work to be done at Anfield next Tuesday to turn this tie around. 🔴🔵”
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot admitted his side was fortunate:
> “Had we got a draw, we would still have been the lucky ones. They were much the better team today.
In the first half, they had many chances… It was almost a miracle that it was 0-0.”
Despite the narrow loss, PSG showed enough attacking strength to suggest they could overturn the deficit in the second leg at Anfield on March 11.
Player Ratings: Alisson Shines in Paris
PSG Player Ratings:
Donnarumma (4), Hakimi (7), Marquinhos (7), Pacho (7), Nuno Mendes (7)
Vitinha (8), Ruiz (7), Joao Neves (7), Kvaratskhelia (8), Dembélé (8), Barcola (7)
Subs: Doue (7), Ramos (6), Zaire-Emery (6)
Liverpool Player Ratings:
Alisson (10), Alexander-Arnold (8), Van Dijk (8), Konaté (6), Robertson (7)
Gravenberch (6), Mac Allister (6), Szoboszlai (7), Díaz (5), Jota (5), Salah (5)
Subs: Núñez (7), Jones (6), Endo (6), Elliott (8)
Player of the Match: Alisson Becker
What’s Next?
Before the second leg, PSG will return to Ligue 1 action on March 8, facing Rennes in an away clash.
PSG remains unbeaten in the league, leading with 62 points from 24 matches, sitting 13 points ahead of Olympique de Marseille.
Meanwhile, Liverpool, who lead the Premier League by 13 points, will shift focus to domestic competitions before the decisive Champions League second leg on March 11.
PSG must win at Anfield to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Otherwise, they risk another early exit in their pursuit of European glory.
Other Champions League Knockout Round Results:
Feyenoord vs Inter (0-2)
Benfica vs Barcelona (0-1)
Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen (3-0)
With this victory, Liverpool further cements their status as one of Europe’s elite clubs.
However, PSG’s attacking firepower ensures that the return leg will be an intense battle.
Stay tuned for more updates!
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