The second-round matchup of Paris Saint-Germain against Liverpool occurred on March 11, 2025 at Anfield Stadium for the Champions League round-of-16. The tension crackled. During the deciding and tense match, Liverpool won by 1-0 against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris while PSG defeated Liverpool 1-0 bringing the aggregate total to 2-1. PSG sealed their victory over the penalty shootout with a final result of 4-1 and earned their spot in the quarter-finals. The match stayed intense because Liverpool refused to give up until the last designated period ended.
Early Shock: Dembélé Stuns Anfield
Liverpool opened the match with intense pressuring movements from the first kickoff. At the first blow of the whistle Mohamed Salah rushed toward right field immediately. The cross found low delivery from Salah but Marquinhos made a successful block. At the 12th minute of play PSG scored their first goal against Liverpool’s attacking pressure. The loose ball became available for Ousmane Dembélé after Ibrahima Konaté incorrectly cleared it. Dembélé finished the opportunity in front of Alisson Becker. The crowd hushed. PSG had established a 1-0 lead which equalized the overall score at 1-1. Early statistical data revealed Liverpool’s 58% control of the ball while PSG earned 0.6 of expected goals from this single scoring opportunity.
Nevertheless, Liverpool rallied. Virgil van Dijk made a header attempt after Trent Alexander-Arnold executed his curling corner kick. Meanwhile, PSG settled. Between them Vitinha created quick passes from midfield alongside Dembélé who made threatening movements throughout the field. Still, Liverpool pushed back. Dominik Szoboszlai tested PSG from a distance only for Gianluigi Donnarumma to stop it. During the first thirty minutes of the match Liverpool took six shots while their opponents recorded only two shots but the score stood at zero to zero.
Reds’ Response: Pressure Builds
The Liverpool team stepped up their attack following the scoring opportunity. The attacking move began when Salah outpaced Nuno Mendes before making a cross which Diogo Jota missed his header. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister delivered an intense strike toward the goal that Donnarumma barely prevented. For a moment, PSG wobbled. However, their defense regrouped. While both Pacho and Donnarumma defended their goal in the 57th minute by blocking important shots from Szoboszlai and Diaz respectively. Liverpool maintained 62% of ball possession but continued to have a xG of 1.2.
Meanwhile, PSG countered sparingly. The dancing movement from Kvaratskhelia failed to deceive Gravenberch because Konaté executed a perfect tackle at that precise moment. Bradley Barcola broke free with a sprint toward the goal but Alisson prevented the attempt by stopping the low shot. The score at halftime stood at 1-0 in favor of PSG. Although Liverpool had more shots (10-4) and corners (5-2) during the match PSG maintained their dominance through their conversion rates.
Second Half Surge: Chances Galore
The team of Liverpool accelerated their attack during the second part of the match. Salah made his move inside the area but Marquinhos diverted his attempt. The 53rd minute marked the dismissal of Szoboszlai’s goal because he was found offside. The crowd groaned. When PSG received the temporary relief it empowered their team to turn the match around. From the right flank Dembélé launched a crossing pass which João Neves missed with an air kick. Still, Liverpool pressed on. Díaz delivered a beautiful bending shot that necessitated Donnarumma to dive and stop the attempt at the 65th minute mark.
The team dynamics shifted uncontrollably after the substitutions were made as time continued to pass. In the seventy-first minutes of the game, Arne Slot brought on Darwin Núñez to replace Jota. Luis Enrique decided to start Doué in place of Barcala in his substitution changes during the match. Soon, Núñez nearly leveled it. The chance materialized when Alexander-Arnold delivered a pass to him but Donnarumma stayed strong to stop his shot. Liverpool struck seventeen shots before PSG managed to fire their six shots during the game’s final eighty minutes. The match stayed in PSG’s favor despite Alisson’s five stops to keep the game close throughout.
Extra Time Drama: Tension Peaks
The teams entered extra time with the aggregate score at 1-1 after ninety minutes elapsed. Liverpool attacked relentlessly. The French goalkeeper Donnarumma managed to push a Van Dijk header beyond the post during the 95th minute. A golden opportunity presented itself as Núñez failed to convert a chance that hit the wooden upright. PSG’s attack continued to be influenced by Dembélé during the match period. Dancing past Robertson Dembélé managed to shoot but Alisson saved the attempt in the 102nd minute. Consequently, the tie teetered.
PSG adopted a defensive approach during the second part of extra time. Vitinha controlled key defensive situations during his appearances on the field besides Achraf Hakimi’s runs upfield. However, Liverpool refused to yield. A Salah free kick struck the crossbar with the last kick of the match at the 115th minute. Post substitution Díaz for Jones the attack missed its mark as the shot went beyond the left post. Although Liverpool took 22 shots overall compared to PSG’s total of 10 shots the match came to an end. Penalties beckoned.
Shootout Heartbreak: PSG Prevail
PSG initiated the scoring from the penalty shootout. Vitinha coolly slotted past Alisson. At that moment Salah fired a powerful strike into the net. However, Donnarumma turned hero. The goalkeeper saved Núñez’s low shot which allowed PSG’s Gonçalo Ramos to convert. After striking toward the post Jones shot but Donnarumma managed to divert it into safety through a diving save. With the same skill he concluded the match. PSG won 4-1, ending Liverpool’s campaign. The Reds scored only once during their three penalty kicks but PSG finished their four attempts successfully.
Key Moments: Defining the Night
Multiple critical events throughout created the tournament results. The early goal from Dembélé gave PSG a dramatic take on the match. Liverpool lost impact when team members received a wrongful disallowed goal during play. Donnarumma’s exquisite saves during penalties delivered victory to PSG in the end. Liverpool remained alive after Alisson made nine saves during the match along with sixteen saves throughout both knockout games. Even though their attacks were effective they failed to produce any scoring opportunities as their finished moves accumulated an xG value of 2.3.
Tactically, PSG exploited transitions. The 21st goal of 2025 by Dembélé demonstrated his current impressive state of form. The high position Liverpool adopted in defense resulted in counter opportunities but their pressing achieved 52 duels compared to PSG with 44 duels. For Slot, missed chances stung. In the later period PSG controlled the ball 54% of the time clearly indicating their ability to handle pressure situations.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
In the next round PSG awaits competition from Aston Villa or Club Brugge. Their resilience impresses. However, Liverpool exit bitterly. Their 19 shots and 12 corners did not compensate for the lack of offensive power they displayed throughout the game. Still, Slot praised the effort. He commented that their team provided exceptional performance except for missing the final goal. According to Enrique PSG maintained their determination throughout their match. He added that Anfield challenged their determination yet they managed to resist the pressure. The thrilling draw performed until the final whistle.
Key Statistics Summary
Liverpool played PSG to a 0-1 loss in the match, while the aggregate score settled at 1-1, leading PSG to win through penalty kicks with a final score of 4-1.
- Possession: Liverpool 55% – PSG 45%
- Shots: Liverpool 22 – PSG 10
- Shots on Target: Liverpool 7 – PSG 5
- Passes Completed: Liverpool 489 – PSG 412
- Pass Accuracy: Liverpool 88% – PSG 85%
- Expected Goals (xG): Liverpool 2.3 – PSG 1.4
- Corners: Liverpool 12 – PSG 4
- Fouls: Liverpool 14 – PSG 10
- Dribbles Directed: Liverpool attempted 9 while PSG players managed 11 through Dembélé giving 4 successful ones
- Saves: Alisson 9 – Donnarumma 7
- Duels Won: Liverpool 52 – PSG 44
