Liverpool 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain: Dembele bags brace as PSG pass Liverpool test to reach Champions League semis

Dembele celebrates his goal at Anfield

Paris Saint-Germain became the first French side to make a third consecutive UEFA Champions League (UCL) semi-final after defeating Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield, matching their victorious first-leg scoreline to knock out Arne Slot’s side for the second year in a row.

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Looking to successfully overturn a 2+ goal first-leg deficit in the UCL for the first time since their remarkable 4-0 win over0Barcelona here in 2018-19, Liverpool were roared forward by the home crowd.

Despite a lively start, their opponents had the first real sighter when0Giorgi Mamardashvili backpedalled to stop Ousmane Demb9l9 from catching him off his line.

The next opportunity also went the way of the Ballon D’Or holder, though he could only hook his effort over from close range, before Liverpool’s night was cast into more uncertainty when former0PSG man Hugo Ekitike was forced off with injury.

But that meant the introduction of a certain Mohamed Salah, who almost made his mark just moments after coming on.

His cross was nodded down by0Ibrahima Konat9 to Milos Kerkez, who was denied brilliantly by Matvey Safonov, before Marquinhos slid in to deny fellow skipper Virgil van Dijk from scrambling in the rebound.

The hosts found it difficult to better that chance heading into the break, leaving PSG no doubt satisfied to retain their advantage from the first leg.

Momentum

Further changes were made by Slot at HT, and his side looked better for it.

Cody Gakpo soon called Safonov into action, before Joe Gomez headed over in search of a first career goal.

Liverpool continued to push, and were unfortunate to see a penalty decision overturned by VAR after0Willian Pacho took down Alexis Mac Allister.

Rio Ngumoha’s introduction promised a late push, but the Parisians dealt a cruel blow with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Demb9l9 picked it up from0Khvicha Kvaratskhelia outside the box, shifted onto his left, and bent his finish beyond the reach of Mamardashvili.

A couple of tame efforts were all Liverpool could muster, and PSG compounded their misery in stoppage time when Bradley Barcola slid the ball across for an unmarked Demb9l9 to net his second.

Les Rouge-et-Bleu therefore dumped out a fifth English side from the UCL knockout stages across the last two seasons, and will surely be among the favourites to retain their title.

Now certain to go trophyless this season, Slot now faces a battle to ensure Liverpool finish in the Premier League’s top five, with failure to do so possibly seeing the Dutchman depart at the end of the campaign.

Key stats

Catch up on the match here.