Liverpool face a huge task to reach the Champions League last four after a humbling 2-0 defeat to holders Paris Saint-Germain in their quarter-final first leg at the Parc des Princes.
Desire Doue scored a deflected opener and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia punished poor defending to add a brilliantly-taken second in a one-sided contest in Paris as Liverpool were condemned to a fourth consecutive away defeat for the first time since April 2012.
The margin of defeat would have been greater if not for some wasteful Paris Saint-Germain finishing and good goalkeeping from Giorgi Mamardashvili, who made fine saves from Doue, Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Achraf Hakimi as the hosts dominated.
Hugo Ekitike reacts after Liverpool fall 2-0 down to PSG in the Champions League quarter-final first leg
Luis Enrique’s side were also aggrieved not to be awarded at least one penalty, with VAR overturning the referee’s decision to penalise Ibrahima Konate for a foul on Warren Zaire-Emery, then opting not to penalise the defender for a push on Nuno Mendes.
Liverpool were fortunate only to lose by two goals having been comprehensively outclassed on the night and will need to show major improvement in next week’s second leg at Anfield, having only mustered three shots, and none on target, on a poor night in Paris.
Arne Slot changed his system to a back five in an attempt to contain Paris Saint-Germain’s considerable threat and found no place for Mohamed Salah, who was an unused substitute, only two weeks after confirming his exit at the end of the campaign.
The tactical adjustment did not faze the hosts, though, who deservedly added to Doue’s deflected opener when Ryan Gravenberch failed to track Kvaratskhelia, who latched onto Joao Gomes’ pass before cutting inside classily to slot home.
Slot threw on the fit-again Alexander Isak for his first appearance since December as he tried to inspire a response but Liverpool never looked like getting back into the game and continued to be cut open by Paris Saint-Germain in the closing stages.
Having already exited the domestic cup competitions, and with their hopes of retaining the Premier League title long over, the defeat puts their final route to silverware in severe jeopardy.
Arne Slot and Curtis Jones leave the field after Liverpool’s 2-0 loss at PSG
Slot: We were lucky to only lose by two
Liverpool boss Arne Slot told TNT Sports:
“We’re lucky to only lose 2-0 as they had more chances than they scored, although the first goal was felt harsh as we didn’t give anything away.
“It’s very good we’re still in the tie. We can bring them to Anfield and how much a difference Anfield can make for us.
“We wanted to create much more but there wasn’t a lot to create for us. They were having the ball with incredible tempo all over the place.
“We tried to press them high. Sometimes it was working but lots of times they were able to play through us.
“When we went man-for-man they played the ball in behind us. When we were in a low block we hardly conceded although the goal was when we was in a low block.
“I stood here similar last season and although we won 1-0, the game was exactly the same. But the game at Anfield was completely different, so we’re happy we’re in the tie.”
Liverpool’s struggles continue – Opta stats
- This was Liverpool’s 16th defeat of the season in all competitions.
- Liverpool have lost four away games in a row in all competitions for the first time since between February and April 2012.
- Liverpool have lost three consecutive matches for the third time this season. It’s the first time they’ve had three runs of three or more consecutive defeats in a campaign since 1953/54, when they were relegated from the top-flight.
- Liverpool failed to have a shot on target in a Champions League match for the first time since November 2020 against Atalanta.
- This was Liverpool’s 34th Champions League knockout-stage game since the start of 2017/18, but only the second in which Mohamed Salah didn’t play, after the 2018/19 semi-final second leg against Barcelona.
