Liverpool are out of the Champions League after another 2-0 quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield saw them beaten 4-0 on aggregate.
Arne Slot’s side were up against it after that two-goal defeat in Paris but with the home crowd up for a comeback, Liverpool produced a spirited performance that unsettled the European champions until Ousmane Dembele punished them twice late in the game.
There were chances for the Reds, Marquinhos clearing from near the line to deny Virgil van Dijk in the first half and Alexis Mac Allister seeing a penalty award controversially revoked by the referee following a VAR review. It was as close as Liverpool would come.
Slot certainly went for it, gambling on starting Alexander Isak and then introducing Mohamed Salah for the injured Hugo Ekitike before the break. When the Liverpool boss swapped Joe Gomez for Rio Ngumoha, the Kop were dreaming of a classic Anfield turnaround.
But PSG’s greater precision made the difference even on an awkward evening. The holders will take on Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the last four. Luis Enrique’s side are now on a six-game winning streak for the first time this season. A quality outfit timing their form.
For Liverpool, there is encouragement that they gave it a go but the reality is that their trophyless campaign has now been confirmed. Now the focus must shift to securing their Champions League return by finishing in the Premier League top five this season.
Should Liverpool’s penalty have stood?
There is no denying that the initial penalty award given against Willian Pacho for a foul on Mac Allister was soft. But did it warrant overturning by the VAR when there was some contact? Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate certainly did not think so.
“For me it was a clear penalty,” said Konate, speaking to Amazon Prime. “I was behind the referee. If we get the penalty and score it would have been completely different.” He has a point about that. Momentum was building. It would have been 2-1 on aggregate.
Liverpool were initially awarded a penalty for Willian Pacho’s challenge on Alexis Mac Allister
“I still think it was a penalty. There was contact into the back of the leg. He is entitled to go down with that contact,” said Tim Sherwood, watching the game for Sky Sports.
“Liverpool were the better team tonight. If they play like that, they will 100 per cent qualify for the Champions League. This tie was lost in the first leg. Why didn’t they go over there and have a go?”
Liverpool lack final touch again
Liverpool came into the game having scored 24 goals from an expected-goals total of 27.8 in the Champions League this season, making them the biggest underperformers in front of goal among the eight quarter-finalists. It was a similar story on the night.
They had 21 shots against PSG but forced only five saves. Liverpool threw bodies forward but the precision was lacking. A sloppy pass, a wild finish. A poor decision, a tentativeness when somebody needed to step up and seize the moment in front of goal.
For Salah, the mind is willing but the body is now lacking. For Florian Wirtz, it was an opportunity missed to show that he has the mentality to deliver for Liverpool in the biggest matches. Isak remains well short of fitness, the season having passed him by.
The fans at Anfield were just grateful for the endeavour that their team showed, a much improved tempo. The final score certainly did not reflect the fact that they had PSG unnerved in the second half. But when the dust settles, familiar failings undid them.
