Champions League Recap: Alisson Shines for Liverpool While Arsenal Achieves Milestone

The excitement of the playoffs has given way to the highly anticipated return of the Champions League as we approach the crucial stages of the tournament. The first legs of the competition have not disappointed, showcasing surprising scorelines and stunning strikes over the past couple of days.

This week’s Champions League tale highlights a fascinating truth: a team can find the net without a traditional striker. A case in point was the encounter between PSV and Arsenal, where one side displayed technical prowess far beyond the other, leaving PSV looking out of their depth. Whether Arsenal outclassed their opponents or PSV simply had an off day, scoring seven goals away in a European knockout round is a remarkable achievement that deserves commendation.

After a disappointing spell in the Premier League that has seen their title hopes dwindle, Arsenal stepped up with an impressive showing just when they needed it most.

Star Player – Alisson Becker

A quick mention goes to Jamal Musiala, who not only found the net but also orchestrated plays in Munich as Bayern secured a comfortable victory over Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen.

However, there is truly only one contender for this week’s accolade.

Alisson Becker delivered what could well be the finest display of his Liverpool career, thwarting PSG’s formidable attacking force in Paris.

Widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world, the Brazilian proved his worth on Wednesday night, often keeping his side in contention all by himself: quite literally.

After an electrifying opening half-hour, which included a brilliant Khvicha Kvaratskhelia goal being ruled out for offside, Alisson’s first critical intervention came in the 30th minute.

Ousmane Dembele had been a constant threat since the match began, and as he broke towards goal with ample time and space, most would predict a goal. Yet, Alisson exhibited cat-like reflexes, distributing himself perfectly to deny the Frenchman.

This save was just the beginning, as he continued to deny both Dembele and Kvaratskhelia with a series of exceptional stops.

So, when Harvey Elliot netted a dramatic late winner just 46 seconds after entering the fray, it was no surprise he expressed his gratitude to Alisson post-match for keeping Liverpool in the hunt.

It was a remarkable performance in Paris from a goalkeeper at the peak of his powers.

Surprise Package – N/A

This week, I find it challenging to spotlight a surprise package. While PSG’s dominant display against Liverpool raised some eyebrows, Liverpool ultimately claimed the result in a smash-and-grab fashion, making the outcome less shocking.

The other matches unfolded largely as anticipated, which, albeit a tad disappointing, suggests we’re set for a thrilling array of quarter-finals.

Team of the Week – Arsenal

This was a straightforward choice.

Becoming the first team in Champions League history to net seven goals away in Europe earns you this accolade without question.

While other performances may have been more dazzling, Arsenal’s relentless dismantling of PSV demonstrated a significant improvement in their play.

This season has been challenging domestically for Mikel Arteta’s squad, but the Champions League has offered them a glimmer of hope, making their progression vital to their overall season.

While they should comfortably secure a top-four spot, the title seems to be eluding them, making a concentrated effort in a competition that has historically troubled them a sensible approach.

Facing Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals might be a daunting task, but the confidence gained from Tuesday’s performance could prove invaluable as they navigate the coming challenges.

Prior to Tuesday, questions swirled about where the goals would come from in the absence of a natural striker. Although defensively oriented, one can’t expect to secure clean sheets against Europe’s elite. Therefore, scoring a couple at home becomes crucial for any hope of progression.

On Tuesday, Arsenal’s innovative approach provided an answer to their striker dilemma: their full-backs, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, made forays into the box, creating unexpected headaches for PSV’s defence in their 7-1 triumph.

If something isn’t working, the solution is to adapt, right? Arteta has explored numerous strategies this season, with limited success, but perhaps this fresh tactic could bear fruit.

Both full-backs showcased their ability inside and around the penalty box, evidenced by their goal-scoring exploits on Tuesday.

Arteta’s ongoing injury issues have forced him to lean on young talents like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, who have repaid his faith by linking up impressively; Nwaneri netted Arsenal’s second goal in the rout.

Arteta’s reliance on youth and adaptability will be crucial if Arsenal aims to make a deep run in the Champions League. In a season where fans are already looking ahead to 2025/26, one must ask: what is there to lose?

Moment of the Week – Kovar’s Blunder for Leverkusen

Things were already challenging for Bayer Leverkusen, but Matej Kovar’s calamitous error led to an easy tap-in for Jamal Musiala, putting Bayern 2-0 ahead and deepening Leverkusen’s woes.

Joshua Kimmich delivered a searching cross that was just overhit, prompting Kovar to come for the ball; however, he mishandled it, allowing Musiala to capitalise and score.

This mistake was a severe blunder in a match that epitomised a team struggling on the grand European stage. Nonetheless, Bayern’s pedigree in Europe, despite the criticism aimed at Vincent Kompany and their defensive frailties, makes them a formidable opponent with an attack capable of troubling any side.