Liverpool suffered after which landed a low blow to Paris Saint-Germain to take a 1-0 benefit again to Anfield, and all eyes had been rightly on Alisson‘s function in all of it.
PSG 0-1 Liverpool
Champions League Final 16 1st Leg | Parc des PrincesMarch 5, 2025
Objectives: Elliott 87′
1. Reds pull off uncommon smash and seize
Fortunately, you don’t see many video games the place Liverpool are dominated as comprehensively as they had been by a powerful PSG right here.
The hosts claimed 70 p.c of the possession, took 27 photographs, and generated 1.82 anticipated targets over the course of a efficiency that certainly merited an combination lead.
As a substitute, it was the Reds with their two photographs and 0.27xG who in some way got here away with the kind of win that may persuade you your title is on the trophy.
That’s because of the truth that, whereas they’re most of the time the higher crew in any recreation, this group of gamers additionally possesses an unimaginable resilience that proves helpful throughout these uncommon robust days on the workplace.
They usually confirmed that in spades in Paris to say what ought to be thought-about one of many nice outcomes of this membership’s historical past in Europe.
2. Alisson nonetheless the most effective within the enterprise
In fact, when it’s backs to the wall like this, you needn’t solely a little bit of luck but additionally a world-class goalkeeper, and Liverpool arguably have the most effective of all of them in Alisson Becker.
The Brazilian made a ridiculous 9 saves right here, retaining out a whopping 2.26 xGOT to maintain Paris Saint-Germain at bay.
And the most effective of these had been certainly stops from a deflected Khvicha Kvaratskhelia strike within the first half and a curling Need Doue effort within the second.
These had been essential moments that made a mockery of these early-season options that Alisson is likely to be previous his greatest.
3. Slot’s subs win the day once more
In the event you had been feeling harsh, you would possibly say that PSG’s dominance of the sport confirmed Slot received issues mistaken along with his choice and setup.
However even when that’s the case, you can not overlook the truth that Liverpool’s victory owed every part to the Dutchman’s substitutions.
Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo‘s introductions gave the Reds a foothold within the center that they’d lacked all night, whereas Darwin Nunez supplied a bodily focus that Diogo Jota couldn’t replicate.
And it doesn’t get higher than a sub approaching to attain the winner along with his very first contact as Harvey Elliott did on the loss of life right here.
Slot is constantly proving himself to be probably the greatest managers round at tweaking issues from the bench, and he confirmed that high quality once more to seize an important European victory.
4. Large second for Harvey Elliott
Even on an off night time, Mohamed Salah is at all times good for a aim, and so it takes some guts for the supervisor to withdraw him.
However even the Egyptian, who needs to play each minute, could have been delighted to see his alternative Elliott get the profitable aim.
It has been a tricky season for the 21-year-old, who has struggled for minutes after getting back from a foot harm sustained early within the marketing campaign – enjoying simply 508 minutes up to now.
Nonetheless, he made probably the most of a uncommon alternative right here, and will let all of the emotion out in celebrating an important aim that would go a protracted strategy to taking Liverpool to Champions League glory.
5. Anfield shall be completely different
Clearly, if this efficiency is repeated in subsequent week’s second leg, then Liverpool are unlikely to get away with the clear sheet that might see them via.
However it feels massively unlikely that PSG will be capable of replicate the efforts seen tonight within the Anfield cauldron.
Not solely will the environment play a component in making the French champions worse, however it’s going to additionally certainly end in a greater model of the Reds displaying themselves.
And if the hosts can get an early aim, then Luis Enrique’s facet will face a critical uphill battle to achieve the quarter-finals.
PSG 0-1 Liverpool
