Liverpool vs. PSG: 3 Takeaways From Champions League Classic

On Tuesday night, Liverpool and PSG went head-to-head until the end, with Gianluigi Donnarumma making two crucial saves against the Reds’ penalty kicks during the shootout, allowing Luis Enrique’s team to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals.

The visitors were forced to dig deep after taking an early lead through Ousmane Dembele, with Arne Slot’s side enjoying their first periods of sustained pressure in the tie throughout the second half.

There were gradual shifts in momentum, with PSG consistently posing a threat, particularly strengthening as the match neared its conclusion.

In the penalty shootout, the Ligue 1 leaders executed flawlessly, while Donnarumma successfully saved attempts from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones, securing a place for Enrique’s team in the next round.

Their display on Merseyside wasn’t quite as dazzling compared to what they produced in Paris, but PSG’s performance across the two legs showed they have what it takes to go all the way.

Here are 3 takeaways from the second leg at Anfield.

Different PSG

How many times have PSG teams faltered in similar situations over the years? Facing a deficit in the tie with Anfield energizing a fierce start from Liverpool, past squads would likely have crumbled under the pressure.

But, once again, this Luis Enrique-led outfit proved they’re made of sterner stuff. After dominating last week’s first leg before losing late, PSG had to offer grit and dogged box defending in a bid to preserve their early lead.

While we’ve seen PSG feature bigger stars with greater allure in the past, never have they showed such remarkable cohesion.

The strategies that once undermined previous iterations of the team are gradually becoming obsolete, thanks to Luis Enrique’s exceptional coaching and a philosophical shift in the post-Kylian Mbappe era.

This team is truly a delight to watch, demonstrating seamless telepathy in their ball movement, complemented by relentless intensity when out of possession.

This isn’t solely about Ousmane Dembélé’s impressive form or the well-known presence of Marquinhos, who has consistently faced disappointment in this competition. It’s also about the rising talent of Willian Pacho and the dynamic wing-backs who excel in both offensive and defensive roles.

Furthermore, the midfielders, though diminutive, possess a striking combination of skill and cleverness that adds significant depth to the team’s play.

Oh, and how about the teenager, Desire Doue, who won it from 12 yards? They’re the best on the continent right now.

Liverpool’s bench falls short

Arne Slot’s proactive approach has been praised during his first year at Liverpool, making it surprising that it took the Dutchman so long to utilize his bench options.

On a night when Nuno Mendes outscored Mohamed Salah on points after his TKO victory last week, Liverpool could’ve done with one of the Egyptian’s supporting acts to step up.

Slot opted for Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota here with Dominik Szoboszlai providing relentless running power from midfield.

The Hungarian player delivered an impressive performance; however, Diaz and Jota found it difficult to compensate for a noticeably quiet Salah.

Jota has faced a challenging season, and he was unable to contend with a PSG defense that expertly controlled their penalty area.

Although he earned a few second-half fouls to help Liverpool push forward, he rarely had a clear opportunity to score and often struggled to contribute effectively during counter-attacks.

Diaz was willing, no doubt, and typically spritely, but the decisiveness Reds supporters so often enjoy from the right seldom arrived down the opposite flank. At crucial moments, the Colombian hesitated.

Salah’s consistent brilliance this season has often concealed some potential weaknesses in Liverpool’s attacking lineup, and the second leg on Tuesday revealed that a few of Slot’s forwards could benefit from upgrades.

Donnarumma the shootout hero again

Seeing Gianluigi Donnarumma fly about in a penalty shootout is a sight no English football fan needs reminding of.

While Liverpool has one of the world’s top goalkeepers in Alisson, he lacks the imposing presence of the 6’4″ Italian, which can be intimidating when approaching to take a penalty.

The Brazilian managed to get a touch on Vitinha’s stylish opening spot kick but was ultimately outplayed by the subsequent shots.

In contrast, Donnarumma showcased his exceptional skills, diving both left and right to thwart attempts from Nunez and Jones, with his save against Jones standing out as particularly sensational.

The Italian’s heroics enabled PSG to achieve their first-ever penalty shootout victory in any UEFA competition, following a shaky start.

He then delivered a solid, mistake-free performance, characterized by well-timed punches that effectively neutralized Liverpool’s dangerous deliveries into the box.