Liverpool secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie at the Parc des Princes. A late strike from substitute Harvey Elliott sealed the win for the visitors in a match where PSG dominated possession but failed to capitalize on their chances.
PSG Start Strong but Fail to Convert
From the outset, PSG dictated play, pressing Liverpool high up the pitch and creating several scoring opportunities. Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Vitinha were at the heart of PSG’s attack, constantly testing Liverpool’s defense. However, they were met by an inspired Alisson Becker, whose shot-stopping heroics kept the French champions at bay.
In the 18th minute, Mbappé found space inside the box and unleashed a powerful shot, but Alisson produced a stunning save to deny him. Moments later, Dembélé’s curling effort from the edge of the area was pushed away by the Brazilian goalkeeper. Liverpool struggled to build attacks, as PSG’s midfield trio of Warren Zaïre-Emery, Manuel Ugarte, and Vitinha controlled the tempo.
Despite their dominance, PSG’s final product was lacking. Their best chance came in the 72nd minute when Mbappé was played through on goal, but his low effort was once again stopped by Alisson, much to the frustration of the home crowd.
Liverpool’s Resilience and Tactical Discipline
Liverpool, under the management of Arne Slot, showcased defensive solidity throughout the match. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté put in a commanding performance at the heart of the defense, while Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold worked tirelessly to nullify PSG’s wide threats.
Slot’s tactics were clear—soak up PSG’s pressure and wait for opportunities to counterattack. While Liverpool struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half, they gradually grew into the game in the second period. Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez had brief moments of promise, but PSG’s defensive pairing of Marquinhos and Milan Škriniar kept them quiet for most of the night.
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Harvey Elliott’s Late Heroics
With the match seemingly headed for a goalless draw, Arne Slot made a decisive change, introducing Harvey Elliott in the 85th minute. Just two minutes later, the young midfielder made an instant impact.
A Liverpool counterattack saw Núñez release Salah on the right wing. The Egyptian’s low cross took a slight deflection off Marquinhos and fell perfectly for Elliott, who struck a composed finish past Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Liverpool the lead. The goal silenced the Parc des Princes, while the traveling Liverpool supporters erupted in celebration.
Elliott, overjoyed, sprinted towards the Liverpool bench, where he was mobbed by teammates. His goal not only gave Liverpool a crucial away win but also placed them in a strong position heading into the second leg at Anfield.
Alisson’s Brilliance Earns Praise
While Elliott grabbed the headlines with his winner, Alisson’s performance was equally crucial to Liverpool’s success. The Brazilian goalkeeper made nine saves, including a world-class stop to deny Mbappé late in the game.
Manager Arne Slot was full of praise for his shot-stopper, calling him “the best goalkeeper in the world.” Speaking after the match, Slot said, “Alisson was unbelievable tonight. Without him, the result could have been very different. He gives us confidence, and his saves were as important as the goal.”
Luis Enrique: “The Tie Is Not Over”
PSG manager Luis Enrique remained defiant despite the defeat, insisting that his team will fight back in the second leg. “We dominated the game, created chances, but lacked efficiency in front of goal,” he said. “Liverpool punished us for one mistake, but we still have 90 minutes to turn this around. Anfield is a tough place, but we are PSG—we will go there to win.”
Mbappé also echoed Enrique’s sentiment, stating, “We should have won tonight, but football is cruel sometimes. We have to believe in ourselves for the second leg.”
Looking Ahead to the Second Leg
Liverpool now take a crucial advantage into the return leg at Anfield on March 12. However, they know PSG remain a dangerous side with the ability to score goals in quick succession. The Anfield crowd will play a significant role, and Liverpool will be hoping for another famous European night to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, PSG must regroup quickly, as they face a tough domestic fixture against Olympique Marseille this weekend. Luis Enrique will need to lift his squad’s spirits and find a way to sharpen their finishing ahead of the all-important clash in Liverpool.
With the second leg promising another thrilling encounter, all eyes will be on Anfield as two European giants battle for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
