Liverpool crash out of Champions League as PSG beat Reds on penalties
Liverpool had gone into the Anfield second leg ahead 1-0 on aggregate thanks to Harvey Elliott's goal in Paris, but Ousmane Dembele levelled the scores on aggregate just 12 minutes into the return tie
by John Cross, Mark Jones · The MirrorLiverpool have crashed out of the Champions League after Paris Saint-Germain secured a memorable penalty shootout win at Anfield.
Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones saw their kicks saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Vitinha, Goncalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue all scored as PSG secured a 4-1 shootout success.
Dembele's goal in the 12th minute of the second leg had cancelled out Harvey Elliott's late strike in the French capital last week, taking the tie all the way to extra-time and penalties.
Liverpool produced a smash-and-grab win last week and yet this time all their pressure could not break down PSG who were so dangerous on the counter attack. Incredibly, Liverpool had gone through on all 39 occasions they had won the away tie but this was the ultimate test for Arne Slot’s men.
In the early stages, Liverpool looked as if they might blow PSG away as they made a lightning start and the home fans rose to the occasion. Anfield was baying for the opening goal amid the red-hot atmosphere and noise when PSG stunned Liverpool by scoring the opening goal after just 12 minutes.
Nuno Mendes played a brilliant ball out of defence, Ousmane Dembele fed Bradley Barcola and his cross caused a horrible mix-up in the Liverpool box. Ibrahima Konate tried to clear, Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker was wrong-footed and it was on a plate for Dembele for the easiest tap-in he will ever score.
Konate tried to make amends but his long range effort was turned round by PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. At the other end, Alisson blocked when Barcola went through. It was brilliant end-to-end stuff.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Dembele and Barcola all had chances as PSG sprung Liverpool’s back line and offside trap but were denied by either Alisson, last ditch defending or bad finishing. Liverpool turned up the volume themselves in the second half and really pinned PSG back. Luis Diaz saw a close range header somehow clawed away by PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
As good as PSG had been in the first half, Liverpool used every ounce of energy inside Anfield to push for the all-important goal. PSG were retreating deeper and deeper but, unlike the first half, were struggling to create as many chances on the break.
Trent Alexander-Arnold hobbled off injured in what looked to be a major worry ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final while Liverpool’s agent of chaos Darwin Nunez was sent on in search of a winner. Substitute Jarell Quansah headed against the post late on but neither team could stop the tie going to extra-time.
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