Dembele's brace at Anfield for PSG's total dominance over Liverpool

Gone are the days when a big club like Liverpool was a favorite both in home and away games in the Champions League. Despite winning the Premier League and then spending around 500 million euros on new signings, the Reds are not having a good season, but still managed to do well in UEFA’s biggest competition, until they ran into a current champion. Arne Slot’s men were no match for PSG in any of the two games and it was confirmed by the final result: Liverpool – PSG 0-2 (0-4 on aggregate). It has to be said that unlike the first game in Paris, Liverpool did had a better match at Anfield and the Parisians did played an average game, but still created better opportunities and eventually scored the only goal of the game.

Arne Slot felt a need to do something special, to try to surprise Luis Enrique, but actually got it all wrong. He put Alexander Isak up front from the start of the match, even though the Swede has not started any of Liverpool’s last 26 games and has scored only three goals for the club all season. He didn’t contribute at all and had to be subbed at halftime. He also decided to start Ekitike on the right and benched Salah again. When the Frenchman was injured and had to come off, the Egyptian came in and played excellent. If he was to play from the start, maybe the Reds would do something. Slot also decided to give Mac Allister the number 10 role and put Dominik Szoboszlai as a holding midfielder. The Argentine player did nothing, while the Hungarian, known for his excellent shot and great goals was too far away from PSG goal and also didn’t help his team in offense.

First half started with a huge push from Liverpool, but it was only a short-lived one. In the 10th minute already, the guests had first big chance. Mamardashvili originally came off his line to deal with a coming ball, it but had to scamper back. Dembele went for the lobbed finish from 30 meters, but the Liverpool keeper came back to punch the ball away from the goal. Six minutes later, Dembele found himself just meters away from Mamardashvili, but instead of feeding Neves, who was all alone, the turned around and took a shot which went over the bar. Finally, the guests missed another opportunity two minutes from time, but Konate came to the rescue and moved the ball away from Dembele. As for Liverpool, they soon lost possession from a much stronger PSG midfield but had one excellent opportunity after half an hour. Salah’s cross found Kerkez steaming in from close range. The defender was denied by Safonov, but Van Dijk came charging at the rebound. Somehow, Marquinhos managed to clear the ball and prevent a certain goal.

Second half again started with a push from Liverpool and substitute Gakpo had a good shot but PSG keeper pushed it for a corner. Unlike in the first half, the Reds were all over the guests now and it continued for some time. Salah found galloping Kerkez in the 57th minute, but the Hungarian international is only a left back and not a striker, and it showed when he missed the whole goal. And then the referee awarded the penalty to Liverpool, only to change his mind after VAR intervention. Mac Allister was touched by Pacho in the penalty box and initially it was awarded, but then the referee changed his mind when he looked the contact from various angles. Against Liverpool, those kind of penalties would be called ‘soft’ but in this situation, everybody though it should be given. Ten minutes later, it was all over. Barcola slide it across to Dembele on the edge of the box. His finish was excellent, this time with a left foot and he put the ball in the bottom corner for a 1-0 score and a trip to the semi-final. The Ballon d’Or winner scored a brace in garbage time and the Parisians are waiting either Bayern or Real.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - QUARTER FINALS

Return leg

Tuesday

Atl. Madrid - Barcelona 1-2 (1-2)

/Lookman 31 - Yamal 4, Torres 24/

Atletico win 3-2 on aggregate

Liverpool - PSG 0-2 (0-0)

/Debele 72, 90+1/

PSG win 4-0 on aggregate

Wednesday

22.00: (1.50) Arsenal (4.30) Sporting (7.75)

22.00: (1.60) Bayern (5.10) Real Madrid (4.85)

***odds are subject to change***