Liverpool have been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League after a 2-0 loss in the second leg at Anfield to Paris Saint-Germain. Ousmane Dembele scored both goals as the Reds lost 4-0 on aggregate to the French side.
Paris Saint Germain started on the front foot, with Ousmane Dembele getting the best chance of the opening 20 minutes. The Frenchman was left unmarked inside the box, but he skied his effort on the turn, and that was the closest the away side came in the first half.
The Anfield side were getting into the game when Hugo Ekitike was stretchered off injured after an off-the-ball slip at the half-hour mark. Salah came on for the Frenchman and instantly showed why he should have been in the starting XI.
The winger created a chance for Milos Kerkez, but the PSG goalkeeper denied the left back before Virgil van Dijk saw his shot blocked by Marquinhos. The scoreline remained goalless for the rest of the half, and Slot made two changes at the break – Joe Gomez and Cody Gakpo came on for Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak.
The Reds came out all guns blazing in the second half, with Salah, Gomez, Gakpo, and Gravenberch coming close to opening the scoring. However, they failed to capitalize on their dominance, and Dembele made them pay.
The former Barcelona star scored from outside the box in the 72nd minute, and that was enough to break Liverpool hearts. The Frenchman sealed the win in injury time by slotting in from inside the box when he was unmarked.
Here are the ReadLiverpoolFC ratings:
Giorgi Mamardashvili – 6
Made good saves in the first half and had a quiet second 45. He could have done very little about the first goal today, as it was well placed beyond his reach by Dembele, and then he got nutmegged for the second.
Jeremie Frimpong – 6
The Dutchman played just the opening 45 minutes and was taken off at the break. He did not have a lot ot do in the attack today and was forced to sit back in the game.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
He was a key reason why PSG did not score in the first half as his sliding block denied Ousmane Dembele a tap-in. He was doing all he could to start the attacks in the second half, and was the only man behind after Van Dijk decided to go up front for the final 10 minutes.
Virgil Van Dijk – 6.5
The Liverpool captain had the best chance of the game for the Reds, but failed to score through no fault of his own. He tried to launch attacks and also went ahead himself, but nothing seemed to work today.
Milos Kerkez – 7
He was up and down the left flank today, but just could not do much in the attack. Had a tough time handling Barcola in the second half, and was pushed to drop deeper than his teammates
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
The Dutch midfielder did not have the best of matches, but was trying his best to get on the scoresheet. Had two shots from outside the box, both off target, and that was his best contribution.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
The midfielder was played in an attacking role today and that saw him get very little of the ball. He was unable to create chances, and just when he thought he had won a penalty, VAR overturned it as there was not enough contact from Pacho.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
The Hungarian was doing all he could today, as a midfielder and then at right back. Just did not get the help he would have liked from his teammates, and he can be one of the players who can come off with their heads held high.
Florian Wirtz – 6
He has once again failed to make the most of his chances in the attacking role. He failed to link up well with the attackers in the second half, and his only shot was also off target.
Alexander Isak – 7
The striker played the first 45 minutes, but failed to get much done. He had one good chance to score, but it would not have counted as he was flagged offside.
Hugo Ekitike – 7
Played just 30 minutes before he slipped off the ball and had to be stretchered off. The striker is now facing a battle against time to get fit for the rest of the season.
Substitutes
Mohamed Salah – 8
The Egyptian came on at the half-hour mark for Ekitike and seemed like he was out to prove why he should have started. He did well at the start of the second half too, but faded away.
Joe Gomez – 6.5
Came on at half-time but lasted just 21 minutes on the pitch. Combined well with Salah in his short spell and was looking to create chances.
Cody Gakpo – 6
Came on for Alexander Isak at half-time and managed to get just one shot away in the entire second half. His only effort was from outside the box and was easily saved.
Rio Ngumoha – 7.5
A bright spark on the gloomy night as he was trying his best to beat the PSG defenders on his own. He had three shots in the match – as many as Salah, Gakpo, and Isak combined.
Curtos Jones – 6
Came on for Mac Allister in the final 15 minutes and hardly did anything to affect the game.
