Pain & The Liverpool Fan
For a Liverpool fan, it was not the ideal night. There was pain writ large on expectant faces. The Saints from Paris had dealt their team a mighty blow, knocking them out of the Champions League at Anfield on penalties. The crowd favourite Mo Salah might just have played his last game for Liverpool in a European competition.
It Was Not Going To Be Easy
Liverpool, though, had won the first leg in Paris by a solitary goal, the tie was by no means over. PSG had played brilliantly that night to lose and were not going to be easy to play at Anfield either. Arne Slot had admitted that PSG tie was giving him sleepless nights. Had he a hunch in what was coming.
Dembele Scores
Dembele, who has been exceptional this year for PSG scored in the 12th minute from a simple tap in after a goal mouth scramble in the Liverpool box. However the Reds played better and Salah had two clear chances to score by his standards, but one was blocked and the other just curled away from the goal.
PSG Stretched But Survive Bravely
In the second half Liverpool were on the attack and for the first occasion the PSG defence was stretched. But they defended stoically. Putting their bodies in the way and doing every bit to stall Liverpool. Donnarumma in the PSG goal was brilliant too in keeping the hosts at bay.
PSG Gain In Confidence While Liverpool Drop Shoulders
PSG gained in confidence as they thwarted every Liverpool move and by the time the Penalties arrived, it appeared from the body language of both teams that PSG was mentally slightly ahead. The shoulders of the home team were already drooping.
Salah Scores, But Nunez & Curtis Jones Miss As Liverpool Lose
Mo Salah scored his penalty, the only one from the hosts to do so. Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones’ efforts were blocked by Donnarumma, while Alisson Becker unfortunately for Liverpool could not block a single penalty. It was over for the Reds when Desire Doue slammed the ball home.
Sensational Donnarumma
For his sensational performance Donnarumma won the player of the match award.
Shocked Fans
The shocked Liverpool fans could not believe what they were witnessing. The team which was the best in the league stages was bundled out so early in the competition. Two superb teams had met at the wrong time is the only explanation I can think of. One of them had to lose and it was Liverpool this time.
A Big Final Awaits The Reds At Wembley
The Reds, however have to get their bearings back as they travel to Wembley to face Newcastle in the EFL Carabao Cup on the 16th of March. A victory there would ease the pain caused last night. Liverpool can do it for sure.
PSG Deserved To Win
Finally, over the two legs, PSG were indeed the better side to be fair and deserved to win. The joy on the faces of PSG players was a clear reflection of what they had achieved. Luis Enrique, their Spanish Manager was not jumping up and down for no reason. With Liverpool out of the way, the road now looks good for PSG.
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