Ousmane Dembele had an off night on Wednesday, but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added another solo goal to his collection as Paris Saint-Germain beat Liverpool 2-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
The Georgia star cut in from the left flank midway through the second half and, with typically quick feet, skipped past a defender and the goalkeeper before stroking in his team-leading eighth goal of the competition.
“We had chances to score more, but I think it’s OK, 2-0 is good but we have to stay concentrated,” Kvaratskhelia said.
Photo: EPA
Desire Doue put the defending champions ahead in the 11th minute with a deflected effort. Ballon d’Or winner Dembele then spurned three chances at Parc des Princes.
PSG coach Luis Enrique said his side should have scored more.
“It’s a pity, clearly, we played very well and deserved more goals,” Enrique said, adding that he was surprised Liverpool played so defensively.
Photo: AP
“It’s the first time under Arne Slot that they have played with five defenders this season,” he said.
Accepting his team were outplayed, Slot explained his decision to be so cautious.
“They have pace from everywhere all over the pitch, no matter where you look,” he said. “They have so many weapons, [and] the times when we tried to play high and aggressive they ripped us apart.”
When the two teams met last season in the round of 16, PSG advanced on penalties after losing 1-0 at home and winning 1-0 at Anfield.
The task seems less difficult this time around for PSG with Liverpool facing a trophyless season.
However, six-time champions Liverpool overcame a 3-0 first-leg loss against Barcelona in the 2019 semi-finals before winning 4-0 at home.
The second leg is on Tuesday next week at Anfield.
“I’ve been through many special evenings at Anfield,” Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk told TNT Sports. “Our fans are the backbone of the club, and hopefully they can be there for us again.”
It could be another busy night for Liverpool, even at home.
“We’re not going there to defend, that’s not in our mentality, but we know there will be moments when we will suffer at Anfield,” Enrique said. “I know that, having been there many times as a player and a coach.”
Slot’s team were reeling from a crushing 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, but were better led in defense. With Allison still injured, Giorgi Mamardashvili — Kvaratskhelia’s teammate on the Georgia national team — continued in goal for Liverpool.
Dembele showed great technique on the edge of the penalty area before flicking the ball left to Doue, whose deflected shot looped over Mamardashvili and under the crossbar.
Mamardashvili atoned with a fine close-range save late in the first half from Doue, again set up by Dembele.
Another flowing PSG move moments later ended with Dembele fluffing his shot.
A worse finish followed, and Dembele held his head in his hands after blazing over from close range in the 53rd minute following a cut back by Nuno Mendes.
Dembele hit the post late on.
Slot made five substitutions, but kept Mohamed Salah on the bench the whole game.
“In the last part of the game it was about surviving for us,” Slot said, explaining why Salah did not come on. “Mo has so much qualities, but to be defending 25 minutes inside his own box, it’s better for Mo to save energy for matches to come.”
Hugo Ekitike lead the attack against his old club and shot wide early in the second half.
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak — the British-record signing for ￡125 million (US$170 million) — came on in the 78th minute on his comeback from a broken ankle.
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