Here we go: Paris Saint Germain completed the job at Anfield, beating Liverpool 2-0 to close out this quarter-final 4-0 on aggregate.
Anfield verdict
Arne Slot set Liverpool up in a 4-3-3 with Jeremie Frimpong and Miloš Kerkez asked to pin PSG back, yet the scoreboard still read goalless at the break despite 13 shots. Mohamed Salah replaced Hugo Ekitiké in the 31st minute, Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez arrived at half-time, and still the Ligue 1 champions rode out the storm. Luis Enrique kept Paris Saint Germain compact in their own 4-3-3, trusting Matvey Safonov behind Marquinhos and Willian Pacho. Safonov delivered six saves and never ceded control of his penalty area.
Tactical focus
Liverpool dominated territory through Dominik Szoboszlai’s distribution and Florian Wirtz’s pockets of space between the lines. The plan was to isolate PSG’s full-backs, but once Lucas Hernandez replaced the injured Nuno Mendes in the 38th minute the visitors tightened the left flank. João Neves and Vitinha screened the centre, forcing Liverpool wide and inviting crosses that Marquinhos devoured. When Slot turned to 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha in the 67th minute chasing inspiration, the structure frayed. Enrique responded with Bradley Barcola on 52 minutes to run at a tiring back line, a switch that proved decisive.
Key moments
Alexis Mac Allister collected a booking in the 45+1st minute, then thought he had earned a lifeline from the spot, only for VAR to cancel the penalty in the 65th minute. PSG struck on the break soon after: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia slid Ousmane Dembélé through in the 72nd minute and the Frenchman beat Giorgi Mamardashvili. Bradley Barcola kept his composure late on, sprinting clear to square for Dembélé to add a second in the 90th minute. Ibrahima Konaté’s yellow card in the 85th minute summed up Liverpool’s frustration, as Anfield emptied quietly.
What it means
Liverpool’s European run halts in Slot’s debut season, leaving a Premier League race to salvage morale while English clubs continue a fraught week after Tottenham’s slip at Sunderland Sunderland vs Tottenham. PSG march into the Champions League semi-finals, Dembélé’s form and Safonov’s reliability giving Enrique confidence ahead of the last-four tie later this month. The focus now shifts to recovery sessions before the weekend league fixture while the club awaits confirmation of semifinal dates.
Key stats
- Possession: Liverpool 53%, Paris Saint Germain 47%
- Shots: Liverpool 21, Paris Saint Germain 12
- Shots on target: Liverpool 5, Paris Saint Germain 6
- Expected goals: Liverpool 1.94, Paris Saint Germain 1.25
- Saves: Giorgi Mamardashvili 3, Matvey Safonov 6
- Corners: Liverpool 8, Paris Saint Germain 2
- Cards: Liverpool 2 yellow (Alexis Mac Allister 45+1st, Ibrahima Konaté 85th), Paris Saint Germain 0
