Liverpool have managed to keep themselves in the tie, but Paris Saint Germain will be coming off at the break as the happier side as they maintain the 2-0 lead in the Champions League quarter final tie.
The best chance of the opening 20 minutes fell to Ousmane Dembele, who skied his effort from close range. He took a shot on the turn just outside the six-yard box when he was unmarked, but the PSG star did not force a save from Mamardashvili.
Isak came close to scoring minutes later, but his effort was blocked before the flag was eventually up, and it would not have counted even if the striker had found the back of the net. The Reds were slowly starting to get into the groove, but some terrible news followed for Slot’s side.
Hugo Ekitike was forced off injured at the half-hour mark, and the forward needed to be stretchered off. He seemed to have signaled an Achilles injury, as it was an off-the-ball slip that saw him hit the ground.
Salah came on for the striker and created a chance with his second touch, but Matvey Safonov denied Milos Kerkez. Virgil van Dijk came close to burying the ball into the open net seconds later, but Marquinhos jumped in front of him to block his effort. PSG were also forced into a first-half substitution, with Nuno Mendes going off for Lucas Hernandez.
The scoreline remained goalless at half time, and here are the half-time ratings:
Giorgi Mamardashvili – 6
His lack of composure created the best chance of the game for PSG. He has done well with his saves today, but needs to be more confident with the ball at his feet.
Jeremie Frimpong – 6
The Dutchman has been forced to spend most of the game inside the Liverpool half. He will be keen on getting into the final third a lot more, and could get the chance now with Salah on the wing and shape changing on the pitch.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
A rather quiet game so far, but he has put in a couple of blocks from shots that were taken from outside the box. Made a stunning sliding block inside the six-yard box, just minutes before the 45th minute, to deny Ousmane Dembele.
Virgil Van Dijk – 7
The Liverpool captain thought he had opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark, but a stunning block from Marquinhos saw the scoreline remain goalless.
Milos Kerkez – 7
Forced a stunning save from Matvey Safonov, seconds after Mohamed Salah came on. Has been staying back in the final minutes to keep the PSG side away from the Liverpool box.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
The Dutch midfielder has not gotten on the ball as much as he would have liked. He has now had the best of times on the ball as well, finishing the half with just 56% pass success from his 16 attempts.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
Similar to Gravenberch today, but he is playing a little up front today than usual. He too has seen very little of the ball today and got booked at the very end for a tackle on Joao Neves, meaning he will miss the first leg of the semifinal if the Reds go through.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
The Hungarian has been up for the game today and has been showing passion on the pitch. He is charging at the PSG player throughout the half, and was a key reason why Desire Doue could not charge to the Liverpool goal in a counter attack.
Florian Wirtz – 6
He has been running and down the PSG half, but has not managed to do much. Has been forced into a left-wing role since the exit of Ekitike, and that has seen him get very little of the ball.
Alexander Isak – 7
The striker is expected to go off at half-time and would be rueing the 45 minutes he had on the pitch. Could not do much in the first half and would have liked to get more touches inside the PSG box.
Hugo Ekitike – 7
Played just 30 minutes before he was forced off injured. The Frenchman slipped off the ball and had to be stretchered off.
Substitutes
Mohamed Salah – 9
The Egyptian came on at the half hour mark and has been Liverpool’s best player. Created a chance with his second touch of the game, and was always drifting into dangerous positions.
