Gianluigi Donnarumma watched counterpart Alisson Becker make save after save however could not produce one himself when it mattered most, as his Paris Saint-Germain misplaced 1-0 to an at occasions overwhelmed Liverpool within the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie Wednesday.
Liverpool substitute Harvey Elliott scored mere seconds after changing Mohamed Salah within the 86th minute to steal a win. It was the Reds’ solely shot on the right track and second general in comparison with PSG’s 28.
Alisson made 9 saves, together with diving efforts and fingertip stops, to frustrate PSG on an evening they dominated in just about each class however the one which mattered most. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia additionally had a objective dominated offside within the first half.
“It was most likely the efficiency of my life,” Alisson mentioned.
The 2 sides will meet once more Tuesday at Anfield for the decisive second leg.
PSG entered the competition on the again of 10 straight wins and instantly took the sport to Liverpool.
Kvaratskhelia, who joined PSG in January in a €70-million transfer from Napoli, thought he had shot his group right into a deserved lead when his roller eluded Alisson’s grasp within the twentieth minute. However replays later confirmed that Kvaratskhelia was offside by an ankle within the lead-up.
PSG continued to mount strain on Liverpool’s uncharacteristically disorganized again line and appealed for a penalty when Ibrahima Konate appeared to push Bradley Barcola within the again.
The same story performed out within the second half. Alisson produced arguably his greatest save of the match within the seventieth minute, diving spectacularly to his left to disclaim Need Doue’s effort.
However Elliott landed the sucker punch. Fellow substitute Darwin Nunez had the composure to seek out Elliott in a sea of our bodies, and the streaking midfielder’s shot was sturdy sufficient to squeeze previous Donnarumma’s outstretched arm.
“I’m nonetheless optimistic as a result of we’d have been greater than worthy winners with our efficiency,” PSG midfielder Vitinha advised Canal Plus.
“I do know that in soccer objectives are all that matter, however the reality is that taking part in like that takes us nearer.
“I’m certain it would occur in Liverpool, that we’ll play with the identical character and we’ll win.”
