It would have been an embarrassment for Liverpool had PSG converted all their chances at the Parc des Princes in Paris last night.
The 1st leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final between the two European giants was a one-sided affair, with an imperious PSG playing sublime football and a lacklustre Liverpool just trying to survive. It was really a no-contest as Liverpool could not find a single shot on goal while PSG made life difficult for Liverpool’s defence.
Desiré Doué opened the scoring for PSG with a fine strike that took a slight deflection, but the move was a good one, and PSG deserved the goal no end.
Ousmane Dembele, Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha, Hakimi and Doué were too hot to handle for the Reds. PSG combined brilliantly but somehow surprisingly came short of finishing. Dembele had a great chance, but he shot over the bar and late in the second half hit the cross bar.
Mamardashvilli, Liverpool’s goalkeeper, made a few tremendous saves to deny PSG. His performance was instrumental in limiting the damage to Liverpool.
READ PSG Take on Liverpool In The 1st Leg of UEFA CL QF In Paris Tonight
Kvaratskhelia, who has been in terrific form of late, latched on to a through ball from the midfield and worked his way through to the Liverpool box, stood composed, held his nerve and scored a stunning goal to make it 2-0 for PSG.
Arne Slot preferred to keep Mo Salah on the bench, which surprised me. Frimpong, playing in place of Salah, was absolutely ineffective. Szoboszlai has gone into a shell, it seems and with Ekitike and Florian Wirtz not able to translate their good form for Liverpool, goals went dry. But for me, an unimaginative midfield and a porous defence are the main problems for Liverpool. No wonder in the last two games which Liverpool has played, they have conceded 6 goals and scored none.
PSG will take a two-goal advantage to Anfield next week, and though Liverpool would be playing at home in the 2nd leg, PSG, in my view, are the favourites to win at Anfield too. I hope Liverpool springs a surprise, but with this low level of intensity, a turnaround looks highly unlikely.
Will Arne take the blame, or will he keep sacrificing Mo Salah at the Altar? This is my question.
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