Liverpool edged previous Paris Saint-Germain with a 1-0 win Wednesday at Parc des Princes within the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 matchup. Furthermore, Virgil van Dijk summed up the problem of dealing with the French giants in only one phrase.
PSG had loads of possibilities however couldn’t make them rely. The house aspect dominated a lot of the primary half, outshooting Liverpool 12-1, but struggled to interrupt via.
They thought that they had the lead when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia curled a shot into the top-left nook, however VAR dominated him offside by the narrowest of margins.
In the meantime, Alisson Becker performed a vital function in holding PSG off the scoresheet, making 4 saves within the first half and 5 extra after the break. Regardless of PSG’s relentless stress, it was Liverpool who delivered the decisive second.
Within the 87th minute, Alisson launched a protracted ball to Darwin Nunez, who received a duel and arrange substitute Harvey Elliott. The younger midfielder stored his composure and slotted his shot previous Gianluigi Donnarumma, giving Liverpool the sting heading into the second leg.
Virgil van Dijk gives an sincere tackle dealing with PSG
In his column for Saturday’s matchday program forward of Liverpool’s Premier League conflict with Southampton, the captain acknowledged that they must “endure” in opposition to Luis Enrique’s squad.
“It’s by no means simple to play away from residence within the Champions League, particularly in opposition to a aspect with as a lot high quality and depth as PSG has,” van Dijk famous (h/t ).
“We knew even earlier than a ball was kicked that there could be occasions within the recreation the place we must endure and that we must present character, resilience, and togetherness.
“We confirmed all of these issues, and naturally, it helps when you’ve, for my part, the most effective goalkeeper on this planet in your staff. Alisson Becker has saved us many occasions up to now and his efficiency in Paris was one other particular one so as to add to his assortment, for positive.”