PSG Knock Liverpool out of UCL with Shootout
Win

Liverpool, 12 Mar (ONA) — Liverpool’s
UEFA Champions League (UCL) ambitions were ended after they lost on penalties
to an outstanding Paris St-Germain (PSG) side after a night of drama at
Anfield.

PSG, needing to claw back a 1-0
deficit from the first leg at home, demonstrated how they have matured under
coach Luis Enrique as they knocked out a Liverpool side touted as favourites to
win the tournament.

Ousmane Dembele’s early goal
provided the platform for the turnaround, with Liverpool unable to break the
French visitors down, while PSG were a constant threat, BBC sports reported.

PSG’s victory over two legs was
thoroughly deserved, with keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma emerging as their hero in
the shootout, saving from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones before Desire Doue
hammered home the winning spot-kick in front of joyous fans.

Liverpool made a lightning fast
start in an attempt to extend that first-leg advantage, with Mohamed Salah
twice coming close in front of the Kop, which was in expectant mood.

With Liverpool making the running,
there was always the chance PSG’s outstanding strike force could punish them on
the counter and so it proved after only 12 minutes – with a large helping hand
from the home defence.

Bradley Barcola’s cross was routine,
but a communication breakdown between Alisson and Ibrahima Konate proved
costly, the defender knocking the ball out of the keeper’s reach for Dembele to
pounce from almost on the goal-line.

PSG had other opportunities, but
could not cash in, Alisson rushing out to save at the feet of Dembele and
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia firing off target when well placed.

Liverpool mounted sustained pressure
after the break, but struggled to break down PSG’s resilient rear-guard,
although it took a fine clawing save from Donnarumma to keep out Luis Diaz’s
header, while substitute Jarell Quansah struck the post and Dominik Szoboszlai
had an effort ruled out for offside.

PSG were by far the better side in
extra time, with Alisson making a magnificent save from Dembele before
Liverpool’s fate was sealed on penalties.

— Ends/Khalid