….Liverpool 1(2)-1(4) PSG
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The reds have walked alone last night at Anfield stadium as champions league ambitions were delt a blow after they lost on penalties to an superb Paris Saint-Germain side.
France giants, needing to overturn the tables and claw back a 1-0 deficit from the first leg at home, showcased how they have matured under coach Luis Enrique as they knocked out a Liverpool side touted as favorites to win the tournament.
The lone goal scored by early by Ousmane Dembele provided the platform for the turnaround, with the Reds unable to break the French visitors down, as PSG maintained their threat.
PSG’s victory over two legs was thoroughly deserved, with keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma emerging as their hero in the penalty shootouts, saving from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones before Desire Doue hammered the winning spot-kick in front of joyous fans.
Liverpool made a lightning fast start in an attempt to extend that first-leg advantage, with Mohammed Sala twice coming close in front of the Kop, which was in expectant mood.
With Liverpool making the running, there was always the chance PSG’s superb strike force could finish them on the counter and so it proved after only 12 minutes- with a large helping hand from the home defence.
Bradley Barcola’s cross was a routine, but a communication breakdown between Alison and Ibrahima Konate proved costly, the defender knocking the ball out of the keeper’s reach for Dembele to pounce from almost on the goal-line.
The Frenchmen had other chances but could not cash in, Alisson rushing out to save at the feet of Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia firing off target when well placed.
The home team mounted sustained pressure after the break but struggled to break down the visitors resilient defence, although it took a fine clawing save from Donnarumma to keep out a Luis Diaz’s header, while substitute Jarell Quansah struck the post and Dominik Szoboszlai had an effort ruled out for offside.
PSG were however, far better side in extra time, with Alisson making a magnificent save from Dembele before Liverpool’s fate was sealed on penalties.
Liverpool players slumped to the turf in disappointment as the fates and fortunes of the Champions league were illustrated in this thrilling last-16 tie that provoked all the emotions on a classic European night at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s side have barely broken stride as they topped the Champions League table and raced 15 points clear in the Premier League- but this is the biggest setback Liverpool and their Dutch coach have suffered this season.
Ironically, Liverpool played much better in defeat at Anfield than they did when winning in the Parc des Princes in the first leg, but that was no consolation as this time luck didn’t smile on them as they were denied by the woodwork and then on penalties, when Donnarumma’s expertise came to the fore.
And most of all, they were frustrated by a top-class PSG side who were shaping up as potential Champions League winners.
Anfield provided its usual thunderous atmosphere but Liverpool could not quite deliver, looking leggy and second best in the added 30 minutes.
The reds will need to recover swiftly, with the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley on Sunday, but this was a defeat that will hurt deeply as they would have had Champions League expectations far beyond the last 16.
Other last night’s results in the knockout stage, Inter Milan 2-1 Feyenoord, Inter cruise to the second stage on 4-1 aggregate, Leverkusen 0-2 Bayern Munich, Bayern won 5-0 on aggregate. Barcelona FC thumped Benfica 3-1 on aggregate 4-1 to book their quarterfinals slot.
