Comment: PSG's fantasy football only lacking a goal as Liverpool somehow hold firm

A night which has to go down as one of Liverpool’s greatest every away days in Europe built on incredible defensive resolve — and a couple of fortunate let-offs

YOU SHALL NOT PASS: Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker (right) makes a save during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, first leg match at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire

Has there ever, in the history of the Champions League, been a more remarkable away victory than Liverpool’s impossible 1-0 win against PSG after a night on which they were given a football lesson by their opponents yet somehow left as winners?

Harvey Elliott’s first-leg strike, 47 seconds after coming onto the pitch, and goalkeeper Alisson’s world-class performance before that, leave the Reds believing they can go on to reach the quarter-finals and maybe lift the trophy.

But anyone not wearing a red shirt will be shaking their heads in disbelief and wondering how on earth it all happened.

Until that moment the biggest talking point was PSG’s mesmerising attacking performance that appeared to signal this could be their year.

The French champions may no longer have their global superstars. There’s no Messi, Neymar or Mbappe, but their performance in Paris glittered and enthralled all the same, and Liverpool did remarkably well to survive it, let alone finish the night with a 1-0 lead.

Arne Slot’s side have swept everything before them in the Premier League this season but they found their match in Paris, until that late goal.

They deserve ultimate credit for surviving the barrage, despite being second best from an attacking perspective for almost 90 minutes, but the first leg gave them plenty to consider – and handed neutrals a glimpse of what PSG could become if only they could catch a big of luck.

On paper there was little between the sides because these teams couldn’t be closer in terms of their progress across the last eight months.

Both are flying in domestic football, 13 points clear at the top of their respective leagues – Liverpool from Arsenal and PSG from Marseille.

Both are also scoring at a rapid rate, 66 goals each heading into this tie – and both have a superstar leading the way. Mo Salah for Liverpool of course, with 30 goals as he arrived in the French capital and surprise package Ousmane Dembele, having the season of his life for PSG with 25 goals.

But, wow, it really didn’t look like a meeting of equals in a remarkable first half in which PSG played so quickly, so adventurously and with such intensity that Liverpool finished it like a heavyweight who had been knocked down three times and was desperately holding on to the ropes.

Only a string of stunning saves from goalkeeper Alisson, plus a disallowed goal, kept it goalless – that and a strange VAR decision not to issue a red card to Ibrahima Konate when he blatantly shoved Dembele in the back as he bore down on goal.

PSG were quicker, they were sharper, they were more confident – and Liverpool simply didn’t know what to do about it. This was the Premier League champions elect on a ground where they once won the European Cup, against a club that has consistently failed to do the same. But there was only one team that caught the eye. That is, if you were only looking at attackers rather than defenders.

Neutrals across the world who have not yet been won over by this PSG team must surely change their minds soon. This team is exciting, relentless, incredibly quick – and not afraid to show off their skills.

It’s not just Dembele, either. The Frenchman pulled out all his tricks but he was still outshone by new arrival Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger signed from Napoli in January for 80m Euros. What a player. He glided past Liverpool players, seemingly floating above the pitch, and made it all look effortless – including when his stunning second-half free-kick was wonderfully saved by Alisson.

This was fantasy football – without the goals – but it wasn’t only tricks and flicks. PSG also delivered the kind of work rate, pressing power and high energy you normally associate with a Premier League side, leaving Liverpool unable to get out their own half for long periods..

So, how on did Liverpool survive?

Well, they defended for their lives, blocking so many crosses that it was almost impossible to keep count, and they had Alisson in the form his life. There were so many saves, but his late effort to keep out Desire Doue and keep a clean sheet was potentially the best.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, so often criticised for his defensive weakness, produced one of his strongest ever defensive displays, whilst Virgil van Dijk and Konate got their heads on everything.

PSG had almost 70% of possession and almost 27 chances, 10 on target, but couldn’t get through, so this has to go down as one of Liverpool’s greatest every away days in Europe.

For sure, if they do go on to lift the big-eared trophy, this night will be remembered as the one when Slot’s side put in the hard work to make it possible.

This PSG team will surely one day lift the trophy that has eluded them for so long. But they will not be favourites in the second leg, such is the power of Anfield. And nobody at half-time was expecting to say that.