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'Same script, different day' as Reds exit Champions League
TL;DR
Liverpool was eliminated from the Champions League after losing 2-0 to Paris St-Germain at Anfield, resulting in a 4-0 aggregate defeat. The team struggled throughout the match, with PSG dominating the first half and Liverpool failing to capitalize on their opportunities.
[BBC]
Paris St-Germain advanced in the Champions League after beating Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield and 4-0 on aggregate.
It was a game in which Liverpool had to go into having some hope. You didn't have to think Liverpool were going to win the game but you certainly had to hope that maybe, just maybe, under the lights at Anfield something special could happen.
It's fair to say for the first 45 minutes Liverpool were just not good enough. Liverpool didn't show up. There were individuals who were getting bullied. PSG are a really good side and they took control of that first half. The Reds had the big chance in it - Virgil van Dijk having one basically cleared off the line by Marquinhos, which, wow, what a block - but aside from that, it was all PSG.
PSG had chances. PSG were finding so much space so easily. And getting in at half-time at 0-0, I wasn't too against it because of the way we showed up. We didn't use the crowd from the off like we should have done. Then in the second half, there was a 20-minute spell where you think and believe 'oh my, if Liverpool put the ball in the back of the net, they are well and truly back in this game of football, they can go on to do what seems the impossible'.
But - same script, different day.
They do not capitalise, they do not punish their opponents. Liverpool can have spells of football where they're quite good and on top, producing some decent football, but they can just never get that goal and it happens once again. The longer that goes on, the more PSG believe that the sucker-punch is coming and it was disappointing.
We didn't test their goalkeeper and their keeper is their weakest link. Rio Ngumoha had one really good chance which produced a good save from their keeper but that is very much it. We had a lot of the ball, we felt like we had a lot of pressure. Joe Gomez was winning the battle with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but, ultimately, if you don't punish the opponents then they're going to have more belief they can go up the other end and score and they certainly did that.
When Dembele's incredible finish went in, you knew it was done. The people in the ground knew it was done, the players knew it was done. The game ends when Dembele puts it in the back of the net and ultimately, over the course of the two legs, it's fair to say they deserved to go through.
It is a trophyless season for Liverpool. It's not a good enough season. I imagine that Arne Slot will stay until the end of the campaign and then I think Liverpool should reassess the situation, I really do. Until then, Liverpool have to get into the Premier League's top five, it's the only thing they can do and they need to do it.
Find more from Chloe Bloxam at The Redmen TV
Q&A
What was the final score of the Liverpool vs PSG Champions League match?
Liverpool lost 2-0 to Paris St-Germain in the Champions League match.
How did Liverpool perform in the first half against PSG?
Liverpool struggled in the first half, failing to show up and allowing PSG to take control of the game.
What was the aggregate score of the Champions League tie between Liverpool and PSG?
The aggregate score of the tie was 4-0 in favor of Paris St-Germain.
