PSG take 2-0 lead over Liverpool in Champions League quarter-final

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain secured a 2-0 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, putting the holders in a strong position ahead of next week’s return at Anfield.

Desire Doue opened the scoring in the 11th minute when his effort looped over goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili after taking a significant deflection off Ryan Gravenberch. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia then added the second in the 65th minute after going past his compatriot in goal, capping a performance in which PSG controlled the match throughout.

The French side could have won by a wider margin. A second-half penalty awarded in their favour was later overturned following a VAR review, and they also created several other chances against a Liverpool team that started with three centre-backs but struggled for long periods.

“I think we had chances to score more. There were many moments where we should score but it is OK,” Kvaratskhelia told broadcaster Canal Plus. “I think 2-0 is good but we have to stay focused because we have to play at Anfield. We know that the atmosphere will be amazing so we are already starting to prepare that game.”

For Liverpool, it was a second heavy setback in the space of five days, even if this defeat was not as severe as the 4-0 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup last weekend. The result left Arne Slot’s side with just one win in six matches in all competitions and marked their 16th defeat of the campaign.

“We were in survival mode for large parts of the game, and maybe also we are in survival mode at this period of the season,” said coach Arne Slot. “It is really, really hard against this team -- PSG was the better team, but we didn't give up and that is why we still have a chance in this tie.”

PSG dominate from start to finish

Liverpool had overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Galatasaray in the last 16 by winning 4-0 in the second leg, but this challenge appears much tougher. The teams will meet again next Tuesday on Merseyside.

The tie also revived memories of last season’s last-16 meeting, when PSG won 1-0 in the second leg before progressing on penalties. That result proved an important step in their eventual Champions League triumph, after they had somehow lost 1-0 at the Parc des Princes despite dominating that game as well.

On this occasion, Liverpool were without Alisson Becker, whose saves had been crucial in their win in Paris a year ago, and Mamardashvili started in goal instead. Mohamed Salah was left out of the starting line-up by Slot and remained on the bench, while Alexander Isak was also among the substitutes after returning to involvement following a leg fracture suffered in December.

Hugo Ekitike led the line for Liverpool against his former club, where he spent 18 months earlier in his career. Joe Gomez joined Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk in a back three, but Liverpool’s attempt to press high gave way to long spells without the ball.

PSG had already established control before taking the lead. Doue received possession just outside the penalty area, moved forward and struck a shot that hit Gravenberch’s boot and looped beyond Mamardashvili. The goalkeeper later denied both Kvaratskhelia and Doue, which kept the score at 1-0 by halftime despite PSG enjoying 70 percent possession. Liverpool’s only effort of the first half came from Jeremie Frimpong, but it was when he was offside.

The pattern continued after the break. Ousmane Dembele fired over before PSG doubled their lead through Kvaratskhelia, who was sent through the inside-left channel by an excellent pass from Joao Neves. The Georgian held off Gravenberch, rounded the goalkeeper and finished.

Liverpool were then spared further trouble when the referee reversed an initial penalty decision after Konate brought down Warren Zaire-Emery while also getting the ball. Slot later made a quadruple substitution in the 78th minute, sending on Isak, but Salah stayed on the bench. Dembele also struck the post late on as PSG completed a ninth win against Premier League opposition since the start of 2025.