Liverpool emerged as 1-0 winners away from home against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday night despite the hosts creating numerous opportunities.
PSG were unfortunate to not take the lead in the early stages after Ousmane Dembele beat Andrew Robertson and pulled his cross back to Joao Neves, but the midfielder's poor shot went over the bar.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had the ball in the back of the net shortly after, but despite an excellent curling finish, the attacker was adjudged to have been in an offside position when he received the ball in the penalty area.
Alisson Becker made a number of saves throughout the match and his heroic efforts were rewarded when substitute Harvey Elliott broke through on goal after Darwin Nunez played a pass to him in the box, and the Englishman scored the only goal of the game.
PSG will now have to overturn their first-leg deficit at Anfield next week on Tuesday, but they will find it difficult given the Reds have only lost once at home this season.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
PSG created enough chances in front of goal to take a commanding lead to Anfield in the second leg and will wonder how they left Parc des Princes with nothing to show for their performance.
Liverpool became the first team to beat the French champions in 22 matches, and with a second leg to come at Anfield next week, they will back themselves to get a positive result at home.
However, they will want to ensure that goalkeeper Alisson does not have to make as many saves, and boss Arne Slot will not want a repeat of his side's performance.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN VS. LIVERPOOL HIGHLIGHTS
20th min: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain) goal ruled out
VAR says no ❌
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
Liverpool's hearts are in their mouth for a moment as VAR checks Konaté's challenge on Barcola, but the referee waves play on 👀
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/VRWWQuymub
Kvaratskhelia collects the ball on the right side of the penalty area after PSG win the second ball from a corner, and he faces up Ryan Gravenberch before curling past Alisson into the left corner, but VAR replays show the attacker was offside by the smallest of margins.
That was close!
30th min: Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain) miss
ALISSON WHAT A SAVE 🧤
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
The Liverpool keeper makes an incredible save from Dembélé, then another incredible block to deny Barcola, who then fires over the bar when he should score with the 3rd attempt - how are PSG not ahead?! 🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/HmL6DhfLgi
Bradley Barcola carries the ball effortlessly past Trent Alexander-Arnold and plays a pass into the box for Dembele, but Alisson makes himself big and blocks his shot before Barcola then strikes twice at goal, failing to find the net from close range.
How have PSG not scored?
54th min: Alisson Becker (Liverpool) save
Alisson again to Liverpool's rescue 🧤
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
Fantastic effort from the free-kick by Kvaratskhelia, but the Liverpool goalkeeper claws it from going in the far corner 👏
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/xhtViMwEUR
Kvaratskhelia lines up a free kick on the left of the pitch and his strike looks certain to nestle in the right, but Alisson comes across and tips it beyond the post.
What a save!
Harvey Elliott goal vs. Paris Saint-Germain (87th min, Paris Saint-Germain 0-1 Liverpool)
ADVANTAGE LIVERPOOL ⚽️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
A 'smash and grab' night for Liverpool at the French champions, sub Harvey Elliott scoring the only goal of the game after 47 seconds with his first touch 🤩
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/3BqALVGd4f
Alisson plays a long ball over the top of PSG's defence and Nunez successfully battles for possession before he finds Elliott, who makes a bursting run into the box and finishes into the bottom-left corner.
MAN OF THE MATCH - ALISSON BECKER
© Imago
Liverpool are fortunate that they had Alisson given they could have easily succumbed to defeat in France by multiple goals.
The Brazilian was phenomenal during one-on-one situations, and he made nine saves, 11 recoveries and almost single-handedly kept his side in the game.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN VS. LIVERPOOL MATCH STATS
Possession: Paris Saint-Germain 70%-30% Liverpool
Shots: Paris Saint-Germain 27-2 Liverpool
Shots on target: Paris Saint-Germain 10-1 Liverpool
Corners: Paris Saint-Germain 14-2 Liverpool
Fouls: Paris Saint-Germain 3-7 Liverpool
BEST STATS
The definition of smash and grab.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 5, 2025
Paris Saint-Germain have had 27 shots, but there is only one stat that matters.
Harvey Elliott steps off the bench to give Liverpool a 1-0 lead 47 seconds after coming on.#UCL | #PSGLIV pic.twitter.com/y562XOMuQA
Many people would name Alisson as the best goalkeeper in the world. Tonight showed exactly why....
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
27 shots conceded. 9 saves. 1 clean sheet. 😳 pic.twitter.com/6sWT2WE2c5
WHAT NEXT?
PSG are set to play Rennes in Ligue 1 on March 8, before travelling to Anfield on March 11 to take on the Merseysiders in the second leg of their Champions League tie.
Meanwhile, Liverpool return to Premier League action on Saturday against Southampton, and the Reds take on Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final five days after their second leg against PSG.
Lewis Nolan
