Liverpool knocked out of Champions League
Liverpool 0 - 1 PSG (Finished 1-1 on aggregate)
PSG won 4-1 on penalties
Liverpool’s hopes of European glory were beaten dramatically as Paris Saint-Germain edged them out on penalties at Anfield, ending their Champions League campaign.
PSG, needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Paris, showed their growing maturity under Luis Enrique, knocking out a Liverpool side widely seen as strong contenders for the title.
Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike set the tone for the comeback, with Liverpool struggling to break down a disciplined PSG, who remained a constant threat on the counter.
Over the two legs, PSG were fully deserving of their victory, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma proving the hero in the shootout. The Italian made crucial saves from Darwin Núñez and Curtis Jones before Désiré Doué buried the decisive penalty, sparking jubilant celebrations among the visiting fans.
Liverpool had begun with intent, looking to build on their narrow first-leg advantage. Mohamed Salah twice went close in front of an expectant Kop as Jürgen Klopp’s side pressed for an early breakthrough.
The first leg report from Super News Affiliate
But with Liverpool pushing forward, PSG’s attacking quality always posed a danger – and after just 12 minutes, the visitors capitalised on a defensive lapse. Bradley Barcola’s cross should have been dealt with, but a mix-up between Alisson and Ibrahima Konaté allowed Dembélé to pounce from close range.
PSG had further chances to extend their lead, with Alisson denying Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia missing the target when well placed.
Liverpool piled on the pressure after the break but struggled to break down PSG’s resolute backline. Donnarumma produced a superb save to claw away a Luis DÃaz header, while Jarell Quansah hit the post and Dominik Szoboszlai saw a goal ruled out for offside.
Extra time belonged to PSG, with Alisson making a stunning save to deny Dembélé before the contest was decided on penalties. It was a cruel end for Liverpool, but over two legs, PSG had shown the greater composure and cutting edge.
From a potential quadruple to a potential double
Liverpool’s players sank to the turf in despair, their Champions League journey brought to a brutal end on a night of high drama at Anfield. This last-16 tie had everything, emotion, tension, and a reminder of how fine the margins can be in Europe’s elite competition.
Arne Slot’s side have barely put a foot wrong this season, storming to the top of their Champions League group and racing 15 points clear in the Premier League. But this was the toughest setback yet for Liverpool and their Dutch manager.
In a twist of cruel irony, they produced a far stronger performance in defeat than they had in victory at the Parc des Princes in the first leg. Yet there was no solace in that. This time, fortune was against them, denied by the woodwork, then undone in the penalty shootout, where Gianluigi Donnarumma’s brilliance proved decisive.
More than anything, though, Liverpool were simply outdone by a PSG side that increasingly looks like genuine Champions League contenders.
Anfield, as ever, crackled with intensity, but Liverpool struggled to match it on the pitch. As the game dragged into extra time, they looked leggy, second best, and unable to summon the moment of magic needed to turn the tie in their favour.
There is little time to dwell on disappointment. A Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley looms on Sunday, and Slot’s side must regroup quickly. But this defeat will sting, Liverpool had ambitions of going far in this competition. Bowing out in the last 16 was never part of the plan.
