In an electrifying encounter at the Parc des Princes, Liverpool snatched a stunning 1-0 victory from the jaws of defeat against Paris St-Germain in their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie. Despite being under siege for virtually the entire match, Liverpool emerged victorious thanks to a moment of brilliance from Harvey Elliott, who scored within 46 seconds of stepping onto the pitch.
PSG’s dominance was evident as they launched a barrage of attacks on the Liverpool goal, amassing a staggering 27 attempts, while Liverpool managed only two. Yet, the Parisians were thwarted by Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who delivered a sensational performance. The Brazilian international made nine crucial saves, marking the highest number for a Liverpool goalkeeper in a Champions League game since such statistics began being recorded in the 2003-04 season.
The night was marked by a palpable tension as PSG relentlessly pressured, yet failed to convert any of their numerous opportunities. The atmosphere reached a peak of incredulity when Elliott netted the game’s only goal, leaving PSG fans and players alike stunned over their inability to capitalise on their clear superiority.
PSG’s failure was historic in its own right, as they registered the second-highest number of shots in a Champions League knockout match without scoring. In contrast, Liverpool scored from their very first shot on target, highlighting the ruthless efficiency that has come to define their play under pressure.
The disparity in shots—27 to 2—tied the record for the largest negative difference by a winning team in a Champions League knockout game, underscoring just how against the run of play Liverpool’s victory was.
Alisson’s role was pivotal. Not only did he keep a clean sheet, but his interventions kept Liverpool in a game where they were largely outplayed and outshot. This performance could well be remembered as one of his finest, emphasising why he is considered among the elite goalkeepers in the world.
Liverpool’s ability to win despite being dominated for long stretches of the game speaks volumes about their resilience and tactical discipline, traits that have carried them through numerous challenges in European football. As they prepare for the second leg, Liverpool holds a slender advantage, but with the memory of their escape in Paris, the belief within the squad will be stronger than ever.
