PLAYER RATINGS | Liverpool 0-1 PSG (1-1, agg., 1-4 pens): Gianluigi Donnarumma the hero as Parisiens advance on penalties at Anfield | OneFootball

UEFA Champions League, Round of 16, 11/03/25

Paris Saint-Germain were bullish as they headed to Anfield to try and secure their progression in the UEFA Champions League and they were right to be. Ousmane Dembélé got the equaliser in normal time before Gianluigi Donnarumma stepped up to become the hero in the penalty shoot-out (0-1, agg., 1-1, pens 1-4).

The Match

PSG were warned to expect a different Liverpool to the one that were lucky to take anything away from the Parc des Princes. And it was a different, more intense, more aggressive Liverpool that caused Les Parisiens issues in the opening minutes. Mohamed Salah, absent in the first leg, saw a goal-bound effort deflected by Nuno Mendes as the back-post before curling wide moments later.

But the storm was shortlived and weathered by Luis Enrique’s side, who like in the first leg, created chances almost at will. They scored from their first as Ousmane Dembélé profited from a mix-up between Ibrahima Konaté and Alisson to stick into an empty net. However, PSG would have regretted heading into the break just one goal up. Bradley Barcola saw a one-on-one saved by Alisson, who also made a crucial interception, clutching the ball to deny Dembélé a shot after he had burst through the defence.

Dembélé also saw a curled effort just inches wide whilst Khvicha Kvaratskhelia saw his deflected effort fly just inches wide as the rhythm from the first leg was re-established. But not for long as Liverpool fought back in the second half, dominating possession, territory and chances.

A Luis Diáz offside denied the Merseyside club an equaliser. Dominik Szoboszlai tucked home after two Trent Alexander-Arnold efforts had failed to find the back of the net. Donnarumma, nervy at times, then made a big save from a Díaz header. He was at fault moments later, though, coming out to punch a corner, missing, allowing Salah a shot at a goalkeeper-less goal at the back post. Luckily, Kvaratskhelia was there to tidy up.

It was then the post that denied Liverpool the goal that would have secured their qualification with Jarell Quansah’s header hitting the inside of the post and rolling tantalisingly across the line as the game headed to extra time. It was PSG who had the best of extra time. Lucas Beraldo and Doué both had efforts that went just wide, whilst Dembélé forced a good save from Alisson with the ball destined to nestle in the Liverpool goalkeeper’s far corner.

The match went to penalties. Vitinha and then Salah netted their spot kicks. Gonçalo Ramos took his but then Nuñez saw his effort saved. Dembélé scored with aplomb before Donnarumma stepped up again. Doué then stepped up to win the tie for PSG and send them through to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Liverpool player ratings

Alisson – 7

Not quite as solicited as in the first leg when he pulled out what he said may have been the performance of his career, he nonetheless had a big impact once again. He was well positioned and stayed big to deny Barcola one-on-one, timed his rush perfectly to deny Dembélé a shot on goal and then denied the Frenchman with a good save in extra time.

Andy Robertson – 5

Virgil Van Dijk – 5

Ibrahima Konaté – 5

Partially – at least – at fault for PSG’s opener, he nonetheless regained his composure to put in a dominant performance at the heart of the Liverpool defence.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5

Replaced by Jarell Quansah (5) in the second half.

Ryan Gravenberch – 5

Alexis Mac Allister – 6

Dominik Szoboszlai – 5

Luis Díaz – 5

Diogo Jota – 4

Replaced by Darwin Nuñez (3) in the second half. The Uruguayan’s hold-up play was valuable and was the upside that you would expect when replacing Jota, however, as is often the case, his end product and decision-making more generally was found wanting. He then proceeded to miss his penalty.

Mohamed Salah – 4

PSG player ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 8

Not always ensured in his work, he is a strong shotstopper and a strong penalty stopped and that told on the night. He was largely dominant in his own box, bar one missed ball that almost proved costly, made a big save to deny Díaz and then made the crucial stops in the penalty shoot-out. He is a goalkeeper with weaknesses, as he frequnently reminded us with his distribution, but this was his night and his was the decisive performance.

Nuno Mendes – 6

Willian Pacho – 8

As he was at the Parc des Princes, the Ecuadorian was absolutely infallible on the night, physically dominant and so calm on the ball. An excellent signing for PSG and the backbone of this defence going forward.

Marquinhos – 6

Achraf Hakimi – 7

Fabián Ruiz – 5

João Neves – 7

Outstanding out of possession, his output with the ball was a little more erratic but his mindset was clear throughout the game as he looked to put his side on the front foot and drive them forward.

Vitinha – 7

Bradley Barcola – 5

It was his cross into the box that was perfectly placed to cause the mix-up between Alisson and Konaté but beyond that, he was below his usual levels, lacking that vibrancy and flair to destabilise the Liverpool defence. He should have done better with his timid effort when one-on-one in the first half. He was replaced by Désiré Doué (7) midway through the second half. He got in positions to allow his technical quality to show and he showed composure beyond his years to take the winning penalty.

Ousmane Dembélé – 6

Despite his goal, this was far from his best match of the season but he was enterprising and showed initiative to drop deeper as the game progressed to try and influnce the game. He didn’t shy away from his responsabilities and took his penalty emphatically.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 6

GFFN | Luke Entwistle