Liverpool produce stunning smash and grab as dominant PSG made to pay - 5 talking points
PSG 0-1 LIVERPOOL: The Reds took advantage of their Champions League last 16 tie despite being dominated for almost the entire contest before Harvey Elliott's late goal put them in control
Liverpool were hammered in Paris but Harvey Elliott's strike with three minutes left means they will return to Anfield in control of the Champions League last 16 tie against PSG.
The French side were sensational for much of the contest, dominating possession and territory, as the Reds were left to live off scraps. Harvey Elliott though was able to convert one of the very few chances created by the Premier League leaders.
He was called upon by Arne Slot and finished smartly to send the visiting fans, who watched PSG fire in nearly 30 efforts on their goal, crazy as they produced the perfect away day showing.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia thought he'd opened the scoring when he curled home a stunning effort, only for VAR to deny him and the Parisians as they failed to take advantage of their early dominance.
The Reds were able to weather the original storm with Ibrahima Konate also dodging red card appeals. Alisson was needed to deny the hugely impressive Ousmane Dembele as the English outfit struggled to contain the French side, who are still seeking their first ever Champions League triumph.
READ MORE: Liverpool saved TWICE by VAR against PSG as questions asked over 'outrageous' luckREAD MORE: Liverpool on alert as new details of Mo Salah's Saudi transfer emergeWhoever advances from this last 16 tie is likely to get Aston Villa in the quarters and both would fancy their chances of downing the Champions League debutants.
Kvaratskhelia saw a sweetly struck free-kick denied by Alisson as the second-half quickly adopted the same pattern as the opening 45 minutes, but PSG were left to regret their wasteful nature when Elliott scored within 60 seconds after coming off the bench for Mo Salah.
Here's the main talking points from a hugely entertaining night in Paris.
1. Liverpool complete smash and grab
If there's one thing Liverpool have made a habit of over the years it is taking their chances. In the likes of Mo Salah and Diogo Jota they have some of the most potent finishers and, despite PSG dominating almost the entire contest, the Reds were able to make the most of their limited possession.
For so long they were camped in their own half but when you boast a frontline like theirs you'll always have a chance and Luis Enrique will wonder just how PSG are preparing for a game at Anfield having lost the game on their own patch.
2. Dembele a man reborn
For so long at Barcelona he was a player who failed to deliver on his £100million plus transfer fee. Even in his debut year at PSG he was good without being great, playing in the shadow of Kylian Mbappe. Since his departure though few have thrived more than Dembele.
He's scored more than any player in Europe during 2025 and, at 27, he's finally looking like the player his talent suggested he should be. His pace, the neat touches to take him past defenders, the directness of his play - Dembele has taken it upon himself to fill the void left by Mbappe and is doing a stellar job.
3. Kvaratskhelia's heel robs him
As the commentator on TNT Sports roared - the Georgian looked to have enjoyed his 'Welcome to Paris' moment when he picked up the ball on the right hand side of the box before opening up his body and curling a stunning effort past Alisson. It was the quality of a player who had just cost £59m.
Kvaratskhelia has been one of Europe's top performers but, after he reeled away having set the Parc des Princes alight, the former Napoli man had his celebration cut short with the semi-automated offsides soon showing that it really was the player's Achilles heel that cost him.
4. VAR sides with Reds
Having Kvaratskhelia's goal denied was a slice of luck for the visitors, who were undone by the Georgian''s brilliance, but it was a review for a red card that really saw luck side with the Premier League outfit. Bradley Barcola was through but as he looked to bring down the ball Konate gave him a shove in the back, which sent the PSG man tumbling and allowed Liverpool to rid of the danger.
Immediately there were huge appeals, albeit there was some debate on whether the contact was in or out of the box, but the length of the VAR proved that the officials seriously considered dismissing Konate - only to side with the referee's original decision to let the game play on. It was the second time in the space of ten minutes that the Reds had seen the calls go their way, which proved crucial as the game remained goalless.
5. Alisson puts on goalkeeping clinic
He'll never be as glamorous as Mo Salah or as timeless as Virgil van Dijk, but the Brazilian goalkeeper is maybe the greatest signing of the modern Liverpool era and, yet again, it was Alisson who ensured Liverpool can still dream of winning the Champions League.
He was the No 1 when they conquered Europe in 2019 and he remains as crucial as ever. The 32-year-old won't have had many nights in Europe as busy as this, but Alisson continued to thwart the likes of Dembele and Kvaratskhelia. Liverpool were second best for long periods in France, but they have a goalkeeper who produces time and time again, and he was the man on the winning side.
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