The first-leg match of UEFA Champions League Round of 16 between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain took place at Parc des Princes on March 5th 2025. Despite being controlled throughout the match PSG lost to Liverpool by a 1-0 score. Late in the match Harvey Elliott scored a sensational goal while Alisson performed expertly in goal to overturn the match’s likelihood. The match belonged to PSG even though their missed opportunities became their main regret during the game. The following analysis focuses on a dramatic night of March 5, 2025.
First Half Action: PSG Dominates, Alisson Stands Firm
The first bout of possession belonged to PSG who established immediate authority. The team of Luis Enrique sent constant attacking waves toward Liverpool while using their opponents’ weaker areas along the flanks. Liverpool faced difficulties under the leadership of Arne Slot while attempting to establish themselves on the field. During the ninth minute Ousmane Dembélé outwitted Trent Alexander-Arnold before his pass died out. A great opportunity arose in the 16th minute when João Neves missed his attempt at scoring from Dembélé’s passed ball.
The PSG team claimed a goal which VAR later ruled invalid during the twenty-minute period. After whipping a perfect cross that had the goalkeeper beaten Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was fortunate that VAR determined he was offside because his heel had barely violated the offside line. For Liverpool, relief followed. However, the pressure persisted. The collision between Bradley Barcola and Ibrahima Konaté in the 25th minute led to a VAR review regarding a red card. Thankfully for Liverpool, the VAR system determined that Konaté would not face punishment so they maintained their fair number of players on the field.
Despite PSG’s 70% possession, Alisson shone. During the 32nd minute Alisson used his legs to stop the powerful Neves shot which came from 25 yards away. In the 38th minute Alisson successfully pushed away a low Drive from Dembélé. Meanwhile, Liverpool barely threatened. Salah made no room for himself against Nuno Mendes during the matchup while PSG’s offensive attempts ended unsuccessfully. The first half ended without any goals scored while Alisson provided exceptional goalkeeping that kept the match tied at 0-0.
Second Half Drama: Elliott’s Late Heroics
During the second period of the match PSG successfully kept control of the situation. Both Dembélé and Barcola attacked Liverpool’s penalty area through constant cross delivery. Vitinhas attempt to challenge Alisson with a precise shot occurred in the 49th minute but Alisson managed to redirect the ball away from danger. During Liverpool’s defensive performance Konaté and Van Dijk defensively bent while keeping the team solid. PSG briefly dominated their opposition to the point where it appeared they were going to overcome their rivals.
However, Liverpool clung on. In the 60th minute Alisson made a touchdown save as he reached toward his left side to block Barcola’s headed attempt. A sequence of skillful movement by Kvaratskhelia in the 66th minute led to another excellent stop from Alisson. The total shots taken by PSG numbered 27 while Liverpool managed only two attempts but the score remained scoreless. In the 75th minute Manager Slot made his first substitution as he brought Núñez into the field to replace Jota.
Liverpool managed to score in the last minute of the 87th playing period against all probability. Less than a minute after his substitution for Salah Elliott timed a run to capitalize on Núñez’s precise passing. The Brazilian player calmed himself after receiving the ball then fired a neat left-footed finish past Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Parc des Princes swiftly turned into total silence. The battle for PSG had become incredibly challenging at this point in the match. Late in the game PSG attempted a final attack before Alisson made a save that denied Dembélé from scoring in stoppage time.
Closing Moments: Liverpool Survives the Onslaught
During added time PSG released all their attacking players into the offensive zone. Marquinhos took a header that missed the target from a direct corner kick in the 92nd minute. Vitinha delivered a lengthy strike from distance in the 94th minute which Alisson had to submit before the final whistle blew. At the end of the match Liverpool’s two defenders Robertson and Alexander-Arnold made essential clearances to avoid conceding goals. Every unsuccessful attempt by PSG felt especially painful to the team.
Referee Davide Massa brought the match to its completion. Liverpool escaped with their 1-0 victory even though PSG controlled the pitch throughout. When Alisson hugged his Liverpool teammates down the pitch the PSG team members appeared defeated. During the match PSG had double the number of shots at 27 while limiting Liverpool to just 2 attempts through 110 minutes yet ended behind. Now, the tie heads to Anfield with Liverpool in the driver’s seat.
Standout Players: Alisson Saves, Elliott Scores
Undoubtedly, Alisson claimed the spotlight. Primarily through his nine saves Alisson took all the glory to become man-of-the-match. He declared his match performance as the best performance he had ever experienced. Liverpool remained active due to the consistent saves made by the keeper throughout the match. Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott turned hero. The last-minute strike delivered by him from his first touch dazed PSG while changing the momentum of the match.
PSG fans watched as Dembélé used his dynamism and skillful evasion to impress throughout the game. However, his finishing faltered. The same level of impression left on fans by Kvaratskhelia quickly diminished after VAR intervened. Donnarumma stood as a spectator in goal until the moment Elliott succeeded in striking home a goal beyond him. Mendes defended Salah well yet the attacking force from PSG displayed little dangerous play.
Tactical Insights: Slot’s Grit Outlasts Enrique’s Flair
During the opening minutes Liverpool implemented press as their starting strategy. The PSG team executed speedy passing movements that broke down their opposite formation. Slots changed to a 4-4-2 formation which fully occupied the midfield area by playing Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister together. PSG experienced various route blockages because of the team switching control to Donnarumma despite losing ball possession. K nghiệp của Aliisson successfully defended his team from their defensive mistakes.
Conversely, Enrique’s 4-3-3 overwhelmed Liverpool. During the game Vitinha and Neves took control of the match by delivering passes to Dembélé and Barcola. Yet, PSG over-relied on flair. Their 28 shots—10 on target—lacked precision. Enrique’s last-minute decision to replace Désiré Doué with a substitute at the 80th minute mark failed to reverse the losing momentum. Liverpool managed to outlast PSG in the match through their defiant spirit despite being outplayed throughout the game.
Implications: Liverpool Holds the Edge
The team from Liverpool maintains their one-goal advantage while entering their home turf of Anfield. The PSG team retains its dangerous nature despite the advantage which helps boost Liverpool’s self-assurance. The attacking force of their team retains the power to explode at Merseyside. Liverpool midfielder Ibrahima Konaté faces potential suspension danger because he only has one booked match left. Meanwhile, Alisson’s form offers hope.
For PSG, the loss stings. Their exceptional performance went in vain because they failed to convert their opportunities. Enrique continues to boost his team despite the current situation. A goal scored by PSG at Anfield holds the potential to reverse the match outcome. PSG needs to improve their goal conversion abilities because it remains their main hurdle for overturning this current score deficit.
Fan Reactions: Joy and Frustration Erupt
Fans on X platform bestowed upon Alisson the status of divine being and deemed Elliott a substitute hero for Liverpool. PSG supporters expressed anger about unexecuted scoring chances which they considered bilked. All observers who remained unbiased were astonished by the drastic turnaround as PSG’s numerical performance became irrelevant because of a single defining instant. The intense competition between Liverpool and PSG created widespread online argument.
Next Steps: Anfield Awaits
Before the upcoming Premier League match against Southampton, Liverpool will challenge PSG in March 11. For Slot, momentum matters. The PSG squad plans to visit Rennes for a vital recovery performance. Both teams know the stakes. In the following match round Liverpool enters with the advantage but PSG maintains their dangerous potential.
Final Thoughts: A Night of Resilience
A Champions League benchmark was set on March 5, 2025 as the competition provided an unforgettable intense match. Liverpool’s triumph over PSG by a lone goal emerged despite PSG’s dominance due to Alisson’s exceptional goalkeeping performance combined with Elliott’s energetic play. PSG controlled most of the game yet their numerous blunders ended up being their downfall. Both teams realize the upcoming leg will bring more excitement to this championship battle.
