Joe Cole says Liverpool can't complain after Champions League exit, backs 'best side left' PSG to reach final
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Updated 12/03/2025 at 10:52 GMT
Joe Cole has tipped Paris Saint-Germain to reach the UEFA Champions League final after an impressive last-16 win over Liverpool that The Reds can't complain about. The TNT Sports expert believes the French side are "the best side left in the competition" and showed it over two eye-catching legs against the Premier League leaders. Cole also believes Ousmane Dembele is in the Ballon d'Or frame.
Highlights: Liverpool crash out of Europe as Donnarumma heroics send PSG through
Video credit: TNT Sports
Liverpool can’t complain about exiting the UEFA Champions League to a Paris Saint-Germain side who are "the best side left in the competition", according to Joe Cole.
The Premier League leaders were eliminated on penalties in the last 16 after a 1-1 aggregate draw over two thrilling legs.
Alisson Becker repeatedly came to Liverpool’s rescue in a first leg where the Reds snatched a shock 1-0 victory, but Ousmane Dembele’s goal ensured that the Parisians took the tie the distance at Anfield on Tuesday.
An imperious performance from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma during the shoot-out, saving efforts from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones, sent PSG through, and Cole believes it was the right result.
"Over the two legs, I don’t think Liverpool or their fans can complain, the better team won," Cole said on TNT Sports.
"They are educated supporters, they know last week was a smash and grab job, but tonight they played better."
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Watch moment PSG knocked Liverpool out of Champions League
Video credit: TNT Sports
He added: "Liverpool had chances to win this game, no doubt. But over the two legs, you would have to be a very biased Liverpool fan to say that the better team didn’t go through. PSG created chances tonight, it was just a more balanced game.
"I think the manager [Luis Enrique] is right – whoever wins this tie, we will see them in the final. I think PSG will get to the final. They are the best side Ieft in the competition."
In-form PSG forward Dembele made the difference at Anfield, scoring an opportunistic opening goal to level the tie on aggregate before emphatically converting his penalty.
After a sensational start to the year in which he has taken his goal tally for the season to 29 in 36 games across all competitions, Cole believes the France international can aim for the very top.
"When you talk about someone finding their home at a club and finding his comfort. He has had to play second fiddle to [Lionel] Messi, [Kylian] Mbappe and Neymar, but he has put it all together," Cole said.
"If PSG go and win this tournament, then he could be looking at the Ballon d’Or."
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Dembele grabs 'critical' early goal for PSG
Video credit: TNT Sports
Nunez's 'future lies elsewhere'
The visitors scored all four of their spot kicks, but Mo Salah was the only Liverpool player to beat Donnarumma before Nunez and Jones had efforts saved.
It was a difficult night for Uruguay international Nunez, who came on in the second half but was unable to find a decisive equaliser for Arne Slot’s side, and Cole wondered whether his time might be up at the end of the season.
"He’s a very good footballer, he’s had some fantastic moments in his Liverpool career, and he’s going to be a league champion this year," Cole said.
"He’s just not ready to lead the line for Liverpool regularly. He needs to go to a club just that second rung down that’s more suited to his style. I’m thinking something like Atletico Madrid, maybe one of the Italian teams. He needs to get out and play.
"You want him in your squad, you see at the weekend that he‘s scoring goals, if you give him five minutes, he’ll give everything for the cause.
"For Darwin, I think his future lies elsewhere. Let’s not forget he’s done a stellar job for this squad, he’s just not ready to lead the line for Liverpool."
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