Liverpool 0-2 PSG (0-4 agg): Dembele double sends Slot's men crashing out of UCL

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Ousmane Dembele's double propelled Paris Saint-Germain to a 2-0 win over Liverpool and into the Champions League semi-finals.

Match Report

Under-pressure Liverpool boss Arne Slot knew overturning PSG's 2-0 advantage from the first leg would be a tall order, and two moments of brilliance from Dembele at Anfield saw the European champions win 4-0 on aggregate.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia forced compatriot Giorgi Mamardashvili into a smart early save before Alexander Isak's header from a corner was gratefully collected by Matvey Safonov. 

Mamardashvili was on his toes once again as he came out to clear an overhit ball, which landed at the feet of Dembele, who saw his attempted chip from 25 yards out punched to safety by the retreating Liverpool goalkeeper. 

Slot had to make a 30th-minute change when Hugo Ekitike fell awkwardly off the ball, with his replacement Mohamed Salah almost making an instant impact as his cross picked out Milos Kerkez, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Safonov before Marquinhos denied Virgil van Dijk on the line. 

Liverpool piled on the pressure after the break as Kerkez's right-footed attempt from another Salah cross went narrowly wide, and the Reds thought their persistence had been rewarded in the 65th minute. 

Alexis Mac Allister went down under the challenge of Willian Pacho, a decision referee Maurizio Mariani initially gave as a penalty before overturning it after a VAR review. 

Substitute Rio Ngumoha forced a strong low save from Safonov, but PSG took control when Dembele superbly curled home from the edge of the area in the 72nd minute.

And though the Reds continued to push to give something for their fans to cheer, they were hit on the break in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, with Dembele tucking in from Bradley Barcola's cross.

Data Debrief: Dembele delivers in England again

Liverpool knew the size of the task facing them when the holders rocked up at Anfield, and though they more than competed against Luis Enrique's side, they were undone by the jewel in PSG's glittering crown.

Dembele netted 2+ goals in a Champions League game for the third time, with all three occasions coming across the last two seasons for PSG, while he has now had a hand in five goals in his last five away games against English sides in the competition (four goals, one assist). 

Last year's Ballon d'Or winner had a team-high six shots, getting three of those on target, while he also led PSG for touches in Liverpool's box (eight). 

In contrast, Liverpool's attacking quartet of Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Isak and Salah managed only four shots between them, with the lively Ngumoha mustering three during his limited time on the pitch.

The result also sees PSG become only the third side, after Barcelona and Atalanta, to win consecutive away games against the Reds in European competition, though they are the first team to do so in back-to-back campaigns. 

But they were made to work for their win, with Liverpool generating an expected goals (xG) total of 1.92 from their 21 shots, five of which were on target, compared to PSG's 1.25 from their 12 attempts. 

Match Events

1' Highlight from Liverpool vs PSG

2' Zaire-Emery unleashes fierce shot, blocked behind

3' Khvicha unleashes fierce shot, Mamardashvili collects

9' Dembélé through ball creates chance, chip saved by Mamardashvili

16' Neves with lob, Dembélé bicycle kick wide

18' Kvaratskhelia struck in face, referee calls foul

21' Gravenberch through ball, Isak chip ruled offside

24' Dembélé fine pass finds Doué, but shot fails to materialize

28' Ekitike down injured with no contact; Salah warming up

32' Kerkez shot saved, Van Dijk rebound cleared by Marquinhos tackle

37' Mendes forced off injured, Lucas Hernández comes on

44' Kvaratskhelia shot saved, Dembélé rebound just wide

46' Substitution: Gakpo, Gomez on for Frimpong, Isak.

47' Doué goes down in challenge, collides with sideline staff

51' Doué forced off injured, Barcola comes on

56' Salah with fine pass, Kyle-Kayz shot wide

60' Dembélé cross finds Achraf through, offside given

63' Pacho fouls Mac Allister in box, VAR overturns penalty call

66' Ngumoha on, replaces Gomez who came on at half-time

68' Mac Allister header just wide of the post

71' Ngumoha cuts inside, fires shot, Safonov with brilliant save

72' GOAL! Dembélé long-range stunner. Liverpool 0-1 PSG

74' Dembélé causes problems in box, Konaté scrambles clear

91' GOAL! Balcola assists, Dembélé brace secures win. Liverpool 0-2 PSG

Line-ups

Liverpool XI: Van Dijk, Konate, Isak, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Gravenberch, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitiké, Milos Kerkez, Wirtz

Subs: Salah, Robertson, Freddie Woodman, Joe Gomez, Gakpo, Chiesa, Curtis Jones, Trey Nyoni, Kornel Misciur, Amara Nallo, Rio Ngumoha

PSG XI: Marquinhos, Dembele, Hakimi, Safonov, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Zaire-Emery, Doue, João Neves

Subs: Lucas, Kang-in Lee, Gonçalo Ramos, Ilya Zabarnyi, Lucas Chevalier, Barcola, Beraldo, Dro Fernández, Mayulu, Renato Marin, Mbaye

Related: Liverpool Paris Saint-Germain
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