Why PSG Now Emerges as Genuine Champions League Contenders Following Stellar Performance Against Liverpool

On Tuesday night, Anfield played host to a captivating encounter between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, reminiscent of historical European clashes.

With both sides embracing a fully offensive strategy, the match was not only exhilarating but also an epic showdown.

The relentless back-and-forth throughout the second leg was a delight for spectators, regardless of their loyalties.

Having won the first leg, Liverpool might have felt they had history on their side—and with good reason. That loss to PSG marked the first time in their history they had been knocked out of a significant European knockout stage after winning the first leg away. The Reds had progressed from their previous 30 knockout ties, adding weight to the importance of this win for Luis Enrique’s side.

Ousmane Dembele netted the game’s opening goal, marking the fastest goal conceded by Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League since September 2017, when Sevilla’s Wissam Ben Yedder scored in the fifth minute. This goal also kept Dembele comfortably at the top of the scoring charts with 21 goals this calendar year.

Despite being remarkably direct and expansive, PSG maintained a defensive strength against Arne Slot’s attacking side, becoming the first team to prevent Liverpool from scoring in this season’s competition.

The match was peppered with 40 shots shared between the two European juggernauts, highlighting a commitment from both teams to secure their spot in the quarter-finals.

While Liverpool managed only three shots on target compared to PSG’s eight, that discrepancy encapsulated the narrative of the evening. Despite the match finishing with just one goal, PSG appeared more likely to add to the tally. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Dembele registered five and four attempts respectively, while full-back Achraf Hakimi contributed with three.

As expected, Liverpool’s Mo Salah was the main threat, with four attempts of his own. Had one of his early shots not been deflected by Nuno Mendes’ knee, the match’s outcome could have unfolded very differently.

Even though Liverpool enjoyed more touches in the opposition’s box (46 to PSG’s 32) and more shots inside it (14 to 12), as well as 89 entries into the final third compared to PSG’s 50, the French team delivered when it mattered the most.

Interesting to note is that PSG’s average positioning was strategically aimed at suppressing Liverpool’s midfield while enabling quick counterattacks whenever the opportunity arose.

To showcase PSG’s dominance, they led in multiple metrics, including total tackles made, tackles won, interceptions, successful dribbles, and duels won, both on the ground and in the air.

Allowing Vitinha space on the ball was another mistake for Liverpool in the tie. It seemed they hadn’t heeded their lessons from the first leg, as the 25-year-old had the freedom to orchestrate play from midfield at Anfield.

In fact, he became only the second PSG player since the 2003/04 season to achieve over 100 passes in both legs of a UEFA Champions League knockout tie.

It’s rare for Liverpool to endure such relentless pressure for an extended period of time, yet throughout the 120 minutes, PSG were tantalisingly within reach.

If Alisson Becker was celebrated as the hero in the first leg in Paris, Gianluigi Donnarumma certainly stole the spotlight in the return fixture.

While Donnarumma recorded only two saves compared to Alisson’s seven—giving the Brazilian a remarkable total of 16 saves across both legs, the highest ever recorded by a goalkeeper in a Champions League knockout tie since Manuel Neuer’s 16 saves against Real Madrid in the 2016/17 quarter-finals—Donnarumma emerged as the hero in the penalty shoot-out, saving efforts from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones.

The strength displayed by PSG over the two legs against a team many deemed title contenders enhances their own aspirations for a maiden Champions League triumph.

Historically, PSG has come close to glory but has often fallen short. With Kylian Mbappe’s departure, the club now seems more cohesive, resembling a genuine team rather than a mere collection of stars, making them a formidable challenge for any opponent.

Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United squad certainly kept a close eye on the proceedings on Tuesday night.

Liverpool will meet the Magpies on Sunday for the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, and they would have preferred to avoid a taxing match that extended the full distance.

The defeat could also affect the mentality of players accustomed to dominating their rivals.

An injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold might see him sidelined for the big game, with Slot expressing doubt over his quick recovery.

“(Trent) had to come off. That’s never a good sign,” Slot commented post-match. “From what I heard, the circumstances around his injury looked concerning, so I’d be surprised if he’s fit for Sunday.”

Newcastle will be keen to end a 70-year wait for silverware, as their last major trophy was the FA Cup in 1955.

Liverpool, who thwarted their 1974 FA Cup final hopes, now have a chance to secure a domestic double if they retain the Carabao Cup they won against Chelsea last year, thanks to a dramatic late goal from Virgil van Dijk.

However, tactician Howe now has valuable insights into how to contend with this powerhouse of a team, creating fascinating prospects ahead.