Man of the Match: ‘Simply Phenomenal’ Liverpool Star Gives Reds Advantage Over PSG | OneFootball

PSG 0 – 1 Liverpool – Champions League 1st Leg Man of the Match

Alisson Becker

Against one of the most scintillating attacking teams in all of world football, the stature and brilliance of Alisson Becker was always going to be a deciding factor in how this game unfolded. With Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia playing to their scintillating best in a torrid first half of dominance by the Parisians, the 0-0 scoreline at halftime was due solely to the heroics and brilliance of Liverpool’s towering number one.

As the world’s best goalkeeper, the giant Brazilian was able to solidly his standing in the game and underpin his value to his grateful head coach, Arne Slot. Shot after shot was saved with excellence in that first half as the hosts had their outfield way with their visitors, however, the man between the Red’s sticks was the sole protector of his team’s first-half clean sheet.

In the second half of this last 16 first-leg tie, the game state shifted a little as Liverpool looked that bit more controlled, though the emphatic performance of their keeper, Alisson, continued to improve with multiple world-class saves and interceptions to ensure his team were not embarrassed.

Within this game where PSG was the powerful element which controlled tempo and the attacking movement, Trent Alexander Arnold held his own as the incoming substitutions allowed the win to avail itself. A masterclass in goalkeeping was almost matched by the pitch-side decision-making undertaken by the Dutch manager, Arne Slot, who made the alterations that allowed more avenues to be closed off, more energy to be introduced and eventually see his side grab a late winner.

This game would always be a difficult occasion to contend with, as the home side looked venomous with every attack. Luckily for the travelling support, the Liverpool stopper was able to produce perhaps the best keepers performance that the European Cup has ever seen. Much of this season has been built upon the sublime goal contributions of Mohamed Salah, however, this Wednesday evening in Paris was all about the heroics of Alisson Becker and his ability to shut down the most dangerous adversary in the Champions League.

The second leg will be undertaken within an Anfield setting under the famous Merseyside lights, where the occasion will see Liverpool a goal ahead and with the belief that they can progress to the quarter-finals. This evening’s man of the match stands tall as the main reason were that to happen, a man that is unmatched in the modern game.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction;

PSG 2 – 2 Liverpool