Liverpool pulled off one of the great heists of the 21st century on Wednesday, as they were run ragged by PSG for 86 minutes and hardly had a touch of the ball, let alone a shot, until Harvey Elliott struck in the 87th to steal a 1-0 advantage in the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
MORE - Champions League fixtures | List of Champions League winners
The stats couldn’t have been more lopsided, perhaps worryingly so from a Liverpool perspective considering these are the presumed Premier League champions-elect — out-shot 27-2 (10-1 on target), out-possessed 70-30 and out-xG’d 1.82-0.27 — but the Reds will now certainly feel confident and emboldened to finish the job at Anfield next Tuesday.
PSG celebrated what they thought was the opening goal in the 20th minute when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia curled a beautiful ball inside the far post with his left foot from just inside the penalty area, but a quick video review determined that the Georgian’s left foot was dangling offside as he tried to get back into an onside position. From that point forward, though, Liverpool mostly limited PSG to speculative shots from outside the box (just two from inside 12 yards over the final 70 minutes) and wound up on the right side of Lady Luck.
Alisson made a handful of difficult saves (and a handful of routine ones as well) to keep the Reds level until the final few minutes. Elliott was introduced in the 86th minute and Liverpool’s academy-bred hero scored with his first touch after Darwin Nunez found him with a simple pass out to the left flank. Elliott took it in stride and tucked a left-footed finish just inside the far post four his 4th goal of the season (3rd in the Champions League).
Player ratings - PSG vs Liverpool
What’s next?
- Liverpool vs Southampton — Saturday, 10 am ET (Premier League)
- Rennes vs PSG — Saturday, 11 am ET (Ligue 1)
- Liverpool vs PSG — Tuesday, March 11, 4 pm ET (second leg)
PSG vs Liverpool live updates - by Andy Edwards
PSG vs Liverpool live score: 0-1
Goalscorers: Harvey Elliott (87')
GOAL! PSG 0-1 Liverpool: Elliott scores with his first touch, Reds’ second shot (87')
SUPER SUB HARVEY ELLIOT SCORES FROM LIVERPOOL'S FIRST SHOT ON TARGET 💥 pic.twitter.com/uYgiNNiWJx
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 5, 2025
Just how they drew it up — let PSG take 27 of the first 28 shots in the game, steal a goal with less than five minutes left. Unbelievable turn of events.
HALFTIME! PSG in control so far, but Liverpool still level at the break
It’s been all PSG through 45 minutes, but Alisson (5 saves) has managed to keep them off the scoreboard. No doubt that Arne Slot wanted to play it safe in the first leg away from home, but the Reds were able to get near the Parisiens, let alone the ball, in the first half. Another 45 minutes like that, and they’ll be a goal or two down heading back to Anfield next week.
Halftime stats (PSG-Liverpool)
- Possession: 68-32
- Shots: 12-1
- On target: 5-0
- xG: 1.37-0.13
OFFSIDE! Kvaratskhelia curls a beauty but VAR says offside (20')
PSG fire a warning shot at the #UCL League Phase winners Liverpool 👀 pic.twitter.com/AL5qgR8bfD
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 5, 2025
Liverpool escape by an inch or two, as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s heel was just offside.
PSG starting lineup
Donnarumma - Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes - Vitinha, Neves, Ruiz - Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola
Liverpool starting lineup
Alisson - Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson - Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai - Salah, Diaz, Jota
Checking in for tonight’s #UCL action 👋 pic.twitter.com/EOL0ttlxah
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 5, 2025
How to watch PSG vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (March 5)
Venue: Parc des Princes — Paris
TV/Streaming: Paramount+
Luis Enrique’s PSG stormed into the last 16 after beating Brest 10-0 on aggregate, while their form towards the end of the League Phase was very encouraging. The runaway Ligue 1 leaders (who are unbeaten in France’s top-flight this season) are an extremely dangerous side, with Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola leading the charge in attack. Skipper Marquinhos continues to marshal the defense, while midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha are crucial to the way Enrique wants to play.
Liverpool are also in a great position and won the League Phase comfortably and are top of the Premier League table and 13 points clear with 10 games to go. Arne Slot’s side know they got a tough draw with PSG in the last 16 but the way they’re playing right now means they will be full of confidence. Mohamed Salah is the deciding factor in most games this season and his battle with Nuno Mendes will be intriguing.
PSG team news, focus
Enrique has so many different options in midfield and attack and his defense is very experienced with Marquinhos, Hakimi, Donnarumma and Mendes around. Demebele, Barcola, Ramos and Lee Kang-In all provide something very different and PSG have big injury issues for this first leg. They will look to keep the ball and draw Liverpool out, then hit them on the counter.
Liverpool team news, focus
Slot’s best XI is very clear and injuries have been kind to Liverpool throughout the season. Alexander-Arnold will have his hands full keeping Barcola quiet, while Gravenberch and Mac Allister will have a tough task stopping Ruiz and Vitinha from dictating the tempo of the game.
OUT: Joe Gomez (thigh - MORE), Conor Bradley (thigh)
PSG vs Liverpool prediction
This feels like PSG can edge the first leg with their attackers in great form and very dangerous on the counter. Liverpool will be happy enough to grab a draw to take back to Anfield. PSG 2-1 Liverpool.
