Anfield, a stadium synonymous with European comebacks and glory, was left in stunned silence as Liverpool’s Champions League journey came to a crushing end at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
After a 1-1 aggregate scoreline over two legs, the tie was decided by a penalty shootout, with PSG emerging victorious 4-1. For Liverpool, it was a night of frustration, missed chances, and ultimately, despair.
Liverpool started the brighter of the two sides, with Mohamed Salah immediately causing problems for the PSG defense. The Egyptian winger forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into an early save and later curled a left-footed effort just wide of the post. The Reds dominated possession, but PSG’s threat on the counter was always evident.
Against the run of play, PSG struck. A swift break saw Nuno Mendes release Barcola down the right, and his low cross caused chaos in the Liverpool box. Ibrahima Konaté and Alisson Becker got in each other’s way, and Ousmane Dembélé was on hand to tap home from close range. Anfield fell silent, the weight of the moment palpable.
Liverpool responded well, with Dominik Szoboszlai having a strong penalty appeal waved away after going down under pressure from Fabián Ruiz. Salah continued to threaten, but PSG’s defense held firm, with Donnarumma making crucial interventions whenever called upon.
The second half saw Liverpool ramp up the pressure. Szoboszlai thought he had equalized when he fired home from close range, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside in the build-up. Darwin Nunez, introduced as a substitute, added energy to the attack, but his efforts were either blocked or wayward.
PSG remained dangerous on the break, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé testing Alisson. The Brazilian goalkeeper was in inspired form, making a stunning save to deny Dembélé’s curling effort destined for the bottom corner.
As the clock ticked down, Liverpool threw everything forward. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long-range effort flew over the bar, and Nunez’s header was comfortably saved by Donnarumma. Despite their dominance, the Reds couldn’t find the breakthrough, and the game went into extra time.
Both sides looked visibly tired in extra time, with chances few and far between. Nunez had a golden opportunity to win it for Liverpool, but his shot was saved by Donnarumma, who once again proved his worth. At the other end, Alisson made another crucial stop to keep Liverpool in the tie.
The game ultimately went to penalties, and it was here that PSG’s composure shone through.
Liverpool’s woes from the spot continued. Salah converted the first penalty, but Nunez’s effort was saved by Donnarumma, and Curtis Jones’s attempt was also kept out by the Italian goalkeeper. PSG, meanwhile, were flawless. Vitinha, Dembélé, Ramos, and Doué all converted their spot-kicks, sending the visitors through to the quarter-finals.
