PSG 0-1 Liverpool: Match report & 3 talking points as Reds snatch European victory | OneFootball

Liverpool were lucky winners against Paris Saint-Germain during the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, with Harvey Elliott's late strike snatching a vital victory.

The Premier League leaders were incredibly lucky to enter half-time level after surrendering an array of glorious opportunities to their hosts, with Ibrahima Konate also fortunate to avoid being sent off after barging Bradley Barcola in the back as last man.

PSG continued to pepper the Liverpool goal throughout the second half but were left stunned when Elliott provided the winner in the 87th minute.

How the game unfolded

Debate has raged over which of these two European juggernauts were considered favourites for their last 16 scrap but it was the hosts who made the sharper start during the early exchanges here. Ousmane Dembele's breathtaking dart down the right-hand side was miscued by Joao Neves as Liverpool were dealt their first warning sign.

PSG continued to suffocate their visitors as the first half wore on, with VAR coming to Liverpool's rescue in the 20th minute. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's exquisite finish was chalked off for an incredibly marginal offside call, the Georgian's left heel straying beyond the Reds' defence.

Liverpool had the officials to thank once more just five minutes later as Konate pushed Barcola to the ground as the 22-year-old raced through on goal. A lengthy VAR check ensued but the decision of no penalty or red card was upheld - much to the relief of the under-fire visitors.

The Reds simply couldn't handle the ingenuity and speed of PSG's forward triumvirate, the French side left cursing their profligacy as the visitors inexplicably held on to their clean sheet. Dembele was denied by Alisson following some strangely uncoordinated defending from Virgil van Dijk, with two subsequent efforts somehow avoiding the net of Liverpool's charmed goal.

The visitors showed few signs of shifting the narrative after the restart and instantly found themselves under unrelenting pressure. They would have fallen behind if not for the cat-like reflexes of Alisson, who tipped Kvaratskhelia's thunderous free kick round the outside of the post several minutes into the second half.

For all PSG's territorial dominance, Liverpool were offered plenty of encouragement on the counter-attack. The Reds frequently broke forward with impressive numbers but lacked any cutting edge on turnovers, wayward in their distribution and unable to test Gianluigi Donnarumma.

However, Liverpool eventually broke through against the run of play. Having seen Alisson produce another stunning stop at the other end, the Reds finally made the most of one of their forays forward as two substitutes combined. Darwin Nunez teed up Elliott, who proceeded to fire into the far corner to secure a smash-and-grab win to take back to Anfield for next week's second leg.

Check out the player ratings from PSG 0-1 Liverpool here.

Liverpool somehow triumph after PSG onslaught

Harvey Elliott won it for the Reds / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

It would not be hyperbolic to claim Liverpool were torn to shreds for 85 minutes in Paris. The Reds were so far from their best on Wednesday evening as defence, midfield and attack all produced sub-par displays, struggling to cope with PSG's relentless onslaught.

The hosts managed 27 shots, ten on target, and produced an expected goals tally of 1.82. By comparison, Liverpool took only two shots - one of which was on target - and finished up with a measly xG of 0.27. Oh, and Arne Slot's side had just 30% possession, too.

However, this is football and anything can happen. Liverpool will know how fortunate they were to earn anything from their journey to the French capital, ripped open repeatedly without being finished off. VAR also proved their friend on an extremely difficult evening.

But they won't care one bit. They have a precious lead to protect at Anfield next Tuesday, one they will defend with their lives. Deserved or not, Liverpool have one foot in the quarter-finals and they will be celebrating tonight.

Alisson proves Liverpool's saviour

Alisson was immense in Paris / GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/GettyImages

Elliott will earn plenty of the headlines but Alisson was the difference between defeat and ecstasy for Liverpool. The Brazilian was often left exposed by the defenders in front of him, but single-handedly saved the Reds from a bruising and potentially catastrophic loss.

Alisson rightly claimed the player of the match award following his inspired performance. He made nine saves and prevented 2.26 goals according to the stats, with several of the aforementioned stops worthy of winning any football match.

Lunging fingertip saves denied both Kvaratskhelia and substitute Desire Doue, the Liverpool stopper stretching every fibre of his being to prevent the net from bulging. There were also several teasing deliveries into the area which were expertly diverted, clawing the ball to safety in testing circumstances.

There may be a touch of recency bias involved, but it could well be one of the Champions League's all-time goalkeeping displays.

Kvaratskhelia could have been dream Mohamed Salah heir

Kvaratskhelia sparkled on Wednesday night / Xavier Laine/GettyImages

Liverpool signed one Georgian last summer but it wasn't Kvaratskhelia. The Reds recruited his compatriot Giorgi Mamardashvili before loaning the goalkeeper back to Valencia for the season, with frequent links with then Napoli star Kvaratskhelia ultimately failing to materialise.

However, with Mohamed Salah's future still in the balance as his contract edges closer to expiring, Wednesday offered Liverpool supporters a glimpse of the man that could have eventually filled his shoes.

Kvaratskhelia showcased the full repertoire of his talents. Having already scored an exceptional goal that was narrowly offside, he proceeded to torment the Reds' nervy backline with his agility and lightning quick feet. He purred underneath the Parc des Princes floodlights, shimmying between red shirts and frequently forcing Alisson into agile leaps across his goal.

The €70m man proved too much for Liverpool's defence to handle and finished up with 11 touches in the opposition box, four shots on target and two chances created in a performance that really deserved victory.