Liverpool secured a dramatic 1-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash at the Parc des Princes. A late goal from substitute Harvey Elliott gave the Premier League side a crucial advantage heading into the return leg at Anfield.
Elliott, who had just replaced Mohamed Salah, made an immediate impact by scoring with his first touch in the 87th minute. Darwin Núñez set him up with a well-timed assist, and Elliott calmly slotted the ball past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, silencing the home crowd.
Liverpool had been under heavy pressure for most of the match, with PSG dominating possession and creating multiple chances. The French side had 28 shots compared to Liverpool’s two, but a combination of wasteful finishing and outstanding goalkeeping from Alisson Becker kept them at bay.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia thought he had given PSG the lead in the first half, but his goal was ruled out for offside. The home side continued to push forward, with Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola testing Liverpool’s defense, but Alisson made several crucial saves to keep the score level.
Despite being largely on the defensive, Liverpool remained patient and took advantage of one of their few attacking opportunities. A long ball from Alisson led to a flick-on by Núñez, allowing Elliott to find the net with a well-placed strike.
The result puts Liverpool in a strong position ahead of the second leg at Anfield. If they can hold onto their lead, they will face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the quarter-finals. However, PSG’s attacking quality suggests they will be a serious threat in the return match.
Luis Enrique’s side had been in excellent form before this match, winning 10 consecutive games and scoring 21 goals in their last five Champions League outings. However, their struggles in front of goal against Liverpool were reminiscent of their early group-stage performances, where they failed to convert chances in losses to Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, and Bayern Munich.
