Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) moved a step closer to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League after beating Liverpool 2-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final clash on Wednesday night.
The hosts started on the front foot and looked more settled early on, while Liverpool struggled to get going.
The opener came in the 11th minute.
Desire Doue struck from just outside the box, and the ball took a deflection that left the goalkeeper with no chance as it crept in.
It set the tone for the rest of the game.
Liverpool found it difficult to keep the ball for long spells and were often forced back.
Their midfield could not really get control, and going forward, there was little to trouble the PSG defence.
They went through the entire match without a shot on target, which summed up a frustrating night.
PSG kept asking questions and should have added a second before the break, but a few chances went begging.
They eventually got it in the 68th minute.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia picked up the ball out wide, drove at his marker and cut inside before finishing neatly past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Liverpool’s approach did not quite come off.
Leaving Mohamed Salah on the bench from the start raised a few eyebrows, and even after changes were made, they never really looked like scoring.
PSG remained in control in the closing stages and saw the game out without much trouble.
The scoreline could have been heavier on the balance of play, which might give Liverpool a bit of hope ahead of the second leg at Anfield. Still, they will need a much better performance to turn this around.
