Liverpool Beat PSG 1-0 In Champions League Last-16 First Leg

In the first leg of their heavyweight Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, Harvey Elliott scored with his first touch after coming on as a late substitute for Liverpool.

The Premier League leaders had just been given the advantage before Mohamed Salah’s return when Elliott fired in from a Darwin Nunez assist in the 87th minute at the Parc des Princes.

Read more about Bayern’s 3-0 victory over Leverkusen in the Champions League Last 16 first leg.

The ultimate smash-and-grab performance came from Arne Slot’s side, who had a reputation for surviving a hiccup from PSG at the time.

As the French league leaders made 28 attempts on goal from the visitors’ two, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a first-half strike blocked for a minor offside, and an outstanding Alisson Becker saved several important saves.

Slot told broadcaster TNT Sports, “To leave with a win over here was probably a little more than we deserved.” Alisson continued, “It was probably the performance of my life.”

On March 5, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain’s Portuguese forward #9 Goncalo Ramos (2R) reacts at the end of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg football game between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Liverpool (ENG) at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)

Salah, in contrast, had been almost entirely anonymous when Liverpool had to score just once this season. However, they are now confident of regaining their lead at Anfield.

A quarter-final against Aston Villa or Club Brugge is expected if Liverpool beat PSG in the league cup next week, but PSG showed enough to suggest they will once again be dangerous in England.

“We would have been more than worthy winners with our performance,” PSG midfielder Vitinha told Canal Plus. “I’m still optimistic.

“I am aware that in football, goals are everything, but playing that way brings us closer.

I’m certain that Liverpool will play with the same character and win.

In their previous five Champions League appearances, Luis Enrique’s team had scored 21 goals in its first 10 straight victories before entering this contest.

However, this performance resembled those of their Champions League debut, when they struggled to convert chances to goals and were defeated by Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Arsenal.

Kvaratskhelia, a Georgian who completed a fluid front three alongside Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, was chosen as the January signing.

On March 5, 2025, Liverpool’s Dutch coach Arne Slot acknowledges the supporters as he observes the team’s victory in Paris Saint-Germain’s (FRA) and Liverpool’s (ENG) first leg football game at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP)

Diogo Jota made his first Champions League appearance since October 2 because Cody Gakpo was unavailable for Liverpool.

The highly anticipated clash had the potential to be Liverpool’s most difficult test this season, and that is how it flopped for extended periods of time.

PSG is now a team led by a handful of elite players, with their intense Spanish coach serving as their leading force.

Alisson stars

On March 5, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Liverpool (ENG) play at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris during the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg football match. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP)

They had a 65% possession of the game throughout and held Liverpool to a command from the beginning.

When he intercepted a Vitinha pass inside the area and curled a shot past Alisson, Kvaratskhelia believed he had scored on 20 minutes.

The home team and supporters erupted in celebration, but a swift offside decision ultimately revoked the goal.

Liverpool had no control over the situation when Joao Neves fired over from a Dembele center a little earlier and Alisson saved from Dembele on the half-hour before Barcola’s shot was too high.

Salah might have worried the home team, but PSG’s relentless attack prevented the Egyptian from entering the game.

On March 5, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Liverpool (ENG) play at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris’s Parc des Princes in a first leg football match between Brazil’s #01 Alisson (C) and Brazil’s #01 Alisson (C). (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)

Ibrahima Konate knocked Barcola over on the edge of the area during a VAR check for a potential red card, but the Italian officials did not accept the Liverpool defender.

After the break, Paris continued to launch a barrage of attacks, suffocating Liverpool with their counter-pressing performance.

Alisson was subjected to a free-kick by Kvaratskhelia, and Achraf Hakimi’s shot was flimsy after Doue was denied by a brave save from the goalkeeper.

Doue came on as a substitute and cut inside from the left ten minutes later, sending a curling shot in the far corner. Alisson then turned to his left and stretched to the left to tip the ball in.