Liverpool’s hopes of a seventh European Cup were squashed by PSG (Image: Getty)
Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League at home to Paris Saint-Germain after losing 2-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate to the European champions. Having been knocked out of the FA Cup and miles off the pace in the title race, it leaves Liverpool with just qualification into next year’s Champions League left to play for.
The Anfield crowd played their part before kick-off, with the Liverpool supporters bracing themselves for another one of those famous European nights under the lights. While Liverpool went after PSG in the early stages, the hosts were unable to find the early breakthrough they craved. Instead, it was the French side who came closest to an opener, but Ousmane Dembele skewed a shot over the crossbar from close range. Virgil van Dijk came closest for Liverpool, however, his effort was blocked by opposite number Marquinhos – the Brazilian duly celebrating the defensive action as if he’d scored.
Midway through the second half, the PSG players were celebrating a goal for real. It arrived via a blistering counter-attack, with Dembele making amends for his previous error with a classy finish from outside the box. If the tie wasn’t sealed beforehand, the Ligue 1 outfit made sure of that in added time, when Dembele found the back of the net once more to send PSG into the semi-finals.
Might’ve been expecting a busier night, given the talent PSG have up front. Instead, the Parisians were much more measured with their attacks, and picked their moments carefully. Had no chance for the Dembele goal, such was the quality of the finish.
Started the match to try and help Liverpool from an offensive point of view, but just ended up costing them defensively. Isn’t the first full back in world football to be ripped a new one by the PSG attack, but he certainly didn’t enjoy himself out there. Replaced by Joe Gomez at half-time.
Hasn’t been perfect this season, but looked close to his best on a night when the Dutchman had plenty to deal with. Wasn’t afraid to get involved in a physical battle and came close to scoring in the first half.
Much like his centre-back partner, the Frenchman has been criticised for his performance this season. Apart from skewing a head wide late on, he didn’t do too much wrong throughout the 90 minutes.
Offered plenty of industry on the left flank before the PSG opener and was millimetres away from finding the back of the net when the score was 0-0 during the second half.
Fared much better than a week ago in Paris, but always had a difficult test against what is probably the best midfield in Europe.
Sent Anfield into raptures when he won Liverpool a penalty, but on a damp night (both weather and mood-wise), the celebrations were cut short. A quick VAR check overturned the decision and the Argentine was subbed shortly after.
Liverpool had held out until the second half before PSG found a breakthrough (Image: Getty)
Has been the man to put Liverpool on his back so many times this year, but went missing on what could’ve been the Reds’ biggest result of the season. Wasn’t helped by Slot’s decision to move him to right back late on.
Needed a big performance, but was once again left wanting. Compare his clunky touches and indecision in the final third to the stylish PSG forward line, and they’re lightyears apart.
Low scoring, but it’s more of a reflection of his manager. What was Slot thinking with this daft experiment? Surely, if the striker could only manage 45 minutes, the better play would’ve been to keep him in reserve until later in the match. Instead, he was hooked at half-time, having contributed absolutely nothing to the match.
Stretchered off after just 30 minutes, but offered very little before that.
Will probably go down as the match where Liverpool make peace with the Egyptian’s imminent exit. He was trying all of the same things he used to, but the execution wasn’t anywhere near as impactful as it once was.
Erm? Brought on at half-time, taken off 22 minutes later. Helped lock down Liverpool’s right-hand side, and had played pretty well on the whole.
There’s a reason he’s third choice for that centre-forward position. If Liverpool had either Hugo Ekitike or Alexander Isak in that second half, they’d have probably found at least one.
Should’ve started the match. Liverpool’s attack looked so much more promising after his arrival, given he was the only one willing to run at the PSG backline.
Put himself about and broke up the odd attack.
