Liverpool managed to record a dramatic victory over Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 in a Champions League match at Anfield on Tuesday (18/9). Liverpool’s winning goal was scored by Roberto Firmino in injury time.
Liverpool scored the first goal in the 30th minute. Andrew Robertson’s cross was successfully headed by Daniel Sturridge. Alphonse Areola failed to react well even though the ball slid near his standing position.
Six minutes later, Liverpool successfully doubled the advantage through James Milner’s penalty. Liverpool earned a penalty after Giorginio Wijnaldum was violated by Juan Bernat in the penalty box. The first half finally ended with a score of 2-1 after Thomas Meunier was able to score a reply in the 40th minute. This goal was produced by a hard kick from the left foot to welcome the ball from Robertson who was not perfect.
The fight between the two teams remains open in the second round. In the 58th minute, Mohamed Salah successfully sent the ball into the goal. But it did not bear a goal because Sturridge first violated Areola. Liverpool’s back line is somewhat disciplined and does not let Neymar and his friends move freely to create a golden opportunity until the game enters the 80th minute. Juergen Klopp also did not want to play defensively and this was evidenced by the replacement of Sturridge with Roberto Firmino.
In the 82nd minute, Sadio Mane almost scored the third goal. Mane showed a charming individual action on the left side of the PSG defense and ended with a hard kick. But Mane’s shot was wide of the target. Mane’s failure to score this third goal then felt even worse because PSG was able to score a second goal a minute later through Kylian Mbappe.
This goal stems from Neymar’s aggressive move that stabbed into the Liverpool penalty box. Virgil van Dijk successfully tackled Neymar but the ball went wild. Mbappe is in the right position to get the ball and fired hard shots that could not be anticipated by Alisson.
Tempo matches are increasing in the final minutes of this fight. In the 87th minute Trent Alexander-Arnold threatened the PSG goalkeeper with a free kick which struck the post. This was responded to by PSG’s attack which also made Liverpool supporters have to hold their breath.
Klopp’s decision to enter Firmino finally proved right. Firmino scored Liverpool’s winner in injury time. Firmino was successful in tricking Marquinhos before releasing a cross which was inaccessible to Alphonse Areola.
Player composition
Liverpool (4-3-3)
Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joseph Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Goerginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, James Milner; Mohamed Salah (Xherdan Shaqiri 85), Daniel Sturridge (Roberto Firmino 72), Sadio Mane
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3)
Alphonse Areola; Thomas Meunier, Thiago Silva, Presnel Kimpembe, Juan Bernat; Adrien Rabiot, Marquinhos, Angel Di Mary (Eric Choupo-Moting 80); Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani (Julian Draxler 80), Neymar
