Liverpool’s continental campaign kicked off on Tuesday night as they hosted Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Add one more thriller to the list of great European nights at Anfield as the Reds rallied to beat the Parisians 3-2.
While PSG has assembled a star-studded side, the ease with which they cut through Ligue 1 has rarely tested them enough to handle the best from abroad. Liverpool made sure to remind them of that fact. Make no mistake, all of Europe had their eyes on Anfield in the marquee matchup of matchday one.
The Reds ran the visitors ragged at times during the match, playing some of their best football so far this season. Feeding off the home crowd, Liverpool jumped on their opponents from the start, piling on the pressure, but needed half an hour to break through. Daniel Sturridge nodded home the opener and with greater sharpness, he could have scored more.
By the break, the Reds scored a penalty and felt the unlucky sting of playing a dangerous side with heavyweight talent, when Thomas Meunier scored against the run of play with a stunning strike.
In the second half, the Reds reemerged to take control of the match. Thanks to a somewhat dodgy decision, Liverpool saw a Mo Salah goal taken away when a foul was called after Sturridge’s collision with PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. Still, the home side maintained control until PSG punished an errant pass from Salah as Kylian Mbappe scored an equalizer in the 83rd minute.
Yet, Liverpool would not let this one slip away. With a stoppage-time strike, Roberto Firmino regained Liverpool’s lead, sending PSG packing back to Paris with nothing but what they deserved.
Here are four findings from the match.
