Liverpool Execute The Perfect Smash-and-Grab In Paris | OneFootball

By Aiden Gharibian

Liverpool Execute the Perfect Smash-and-Grab in Paris

The game ends 1–0 in favour of the Reds at the Parc des Princes, but the scoreline doesn’t quite tell the full story. Paris Saint-Germain dominated possession with 70% and registered 1.82 xG from 27 total shots, 10 of which were on target. Despite their control, PSG failed to break through Liverpool’s resilient defence. So, what stopped them from getting a result?

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The simple answer is Alisson Becker. PSG were relentless in attack today and delivered a midfield masterclass against arguably the best midfield unit in world football. There were also a few heart-in-mouth moments for Liverpool today, including the potential red card check for Ibrahima Konate and the marginally offside goal of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. With so much difficulty in containing the Parisians, Liverpool have Alisson Becker to thank for somehow keeping a clean sheet. The Brazilian made 9 saves and prevented a staggering 2.26 expected goals. While Alisson was the man of the match, the subs did a wonderful job of snatching the win. Two substitutes Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott combined in the 87th minute to complete the smash-and-grab victory, with Gianluigi Donnarumma possibly feeling he could’ve done better to save Elliott’s strike. With all this said and done, what does this mean for the Reds going forward?

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Liverpool were less than convincing, but a 1–0 win away from home is a brilliant result to take back home to Anfield. PSG now need to beat The Reds by at least two goals at Anfield — a result Liverpool fans will feel confident won’t happen, given their incredible home atmosphere. If they go through, Liverpool look set to face Aston Villa in the quarter-finals, setting the stage for a high-stakes Premier League showdown.