An inspired performance from goalkeeper Alisson Becker and a dramatic late goal from substitute Harvey Elliott handed Liverpool a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie. The result not only gave the Reds a slender advantage heading into the return leg at Anfield but also snapped a five-game winless streak in away matches on French soil.
Both teams entered the clash atop their respective domestic leagues with commanding 13-point leads, setting the stage for a tightly contested European showdown. However, it was PSG who dominated the early exchanges, piling pressure on Liverpool’s defense in a breathless opening quarter-hour. Ibrahima Konaté thwarted Bradley Barcola’s effort, while Fabián Ruiz fired wide on the follow-up. Ousmane Dembele then danced through the Reds’ backline, teeing up João Neves for a shot that skipped over the bar.
PSG’s relentless attack continued as Dembele saw a shot deflected by Virgil van Dijk, and a subsequent corner nearly produced a stunning opener from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, only for a marginal offside call to intervene. Achraf Hakimi and Kvaratskhelia both tested Alisson from distance, but the Brazilian goalkeeper stood tall, epitomizing Liverpool’s resilience.
The hosts’ profligacy reached a crescendo around the half-hour mark. Alisson charged out to deny Dembele, Barcola squandered two golden chances, and Kvaratskhelia was foiled again by the Reds’ shot-stopper. Liverpool somehow reached halftime with the scoreline still at 0-0, thanks largely to Alisson’s heroics.
The second half followed a similar script. Alisson tipped a free-kick wide, held a curling effort from Kvaratskhelia, and later palmed away a dangerous attempt from substitute Desire Doue. PSG’s wastefulness in front of goal was compounded when Hakimi slipped while shooting over, allowing Liverpool to weather the storm.
Despite PSG’s dominance, Liverpool struggled to create chances of their own. Mohamed Salah endured a frustrating night against Nuno Mendes, and the Reds’ attack lacked its usual spark. Manager Arne Slot turned to Darwin Nunez off the bench, and while the Uruguayan initially caught PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma off-guard, it was another substitute who ultimately stole the show.
In the dying moments, Nunez slipped a precise ball across the box, and Elliott—on the pitch for just 47 seconds—fired past Donnarumma with his first touch. The goal silenced the Parc des Princes and handed Liverpool a precious lead to defend at home. It also ended PSG’s remarkable 22-game unbeaten run and 20-match scoring streak across all competitions.
For Liverpool, the victory was a testament to Alisson’s brilliance and their ability to seize a rare opportunity against the run of play. PSG, meanwhile, will rue their missed chances as they prepare for a daunting trip to Anfield. The tie remains finely poised, but the Reds will take confidence from a result that could prove to be a turning point in their Champions League campaign.
