PSG Win, Liverpool Lose in Champions League

JAKARTA - Paris Saint-Germain again showed dominance over Liverpool and won 2-0 in the first match of the Champions League quarterfinal at the Parc des Princes Stadium, Paris, Thursday, April 9, 2026 early morning WIB. The defeat made Liverpool even worse.

The Champions League is Liverpool's only hope of winning a trophy after being eliminated in the FA Cup. In last weekend's match, Liverpool tried to stay in the FA Cup. Only in the quarterfinal duel at the Etihad, Liverpool was slaughtered by Manchester City 4-0.

The Reds have lost hope in the oldest football tournament on earth. Failing in the FA Cup, Liverpool is also certain that they cannot defend the English Premier League championship trophy because they are still stuck in fifth place. Let alone trying to chase the leaders of the Arsenal standings, they are still difficult to hunt for the fourth place or enter the Champions League zone.

Now, Liverpool hopes for the Champions League. However, this is not in line with the dream and Liverpool is getting worse because they have to swallow defeat when visiting PSG's headquarters.

This match is a repeat of last season in the last 16. At that time, Liverpool was lucky to win 1-0 at PSG's home. However, they then lost again with a score of 1-0 at home at Anfield. Liverpool also eventually lost on penalties. Meanwhile, PSG continued to advance and then became champions.

The failure to repeat the victory in Paris makes it difficult for Liverpool to qualify for the semifinals. Even though they are acting as hosts in the second match which will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 early morning WIB, Liverpool must be able to catch up on the goal deficit as when they eliminated Galatasaray in the 16th round.

At least, Virgil van Dijk et al need a 3-0 victory to eliminate PSG. On the other hand, PSG only needs a draw to maintain the title of champion.

In that match, manager Arne Slot, who was under pressure following Liverpool's slump, actually made a gamble. Slot chose to bench mainstay Mohamed Salah by putting Florian Wirtz in the front line to duet with Hugo Ekitike who faced his former club. Ekitike himself only lasted at PSG for 18 months due to difficulties in displacing three stars, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar.

However, PSG still played better. The French Ligue 1 standings are slightly ahead in ball possession. Even the hosts were ahead when the match was only 11 minutes. Wing player Desire Doue immediately broke the deadlock when he controlled the ball and then ran towards the penalty box.

He showed individual action when he kicked the ball by deceiving the Liverpool player who tried to stop him. Doue turned back before shooting which hit the leg of midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

The ball slightly turned before sliding into the top corner of the goal that goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili failed to reach and gave PSG a 1-0 lead.

After the goal, PSG became more aggressive in pressing Liverpool. They again created an opportunity for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia which could be thwarted by Mamardashvili. Furthermore, Doue got a second chance but this time he failed to convert into a goal.

The match itself went one way because PSG's ball possession reached 70%. Liverpool could only defend and get one chance through Jeremie Frimpong. But that's not all, he couldn't continue the attack because he was offside.

In the second half, PSG's game did not change. Luis Enrique's team continued to play offensively and striker Ousmane Dembele almost increased the lead. It's just that the French national team player's kick still bounced slightly over the crossbar.

After many failed attempts, PSG finally added a goal when Kvaratskhelia overcame the deadlock in the 65th minute. The Georgia national team player greeted a brilliant pass from Joao Neves.

He was about to be stopped by Gravenberch but was still able to shoot which defeated Mamardashvili, his compatriot who replaced Alisson Becker in the match.

The score changed 2-0 for PSG. Liverpool almost fell further when defender Ibrahima Konate committed a foul by bringing down Warren Zaire-Emery in the penalty box. Fortunately, the referee did not give a penalty and let the incident go.

Liverpool again got help from the goalpost before the match ended. Dembele's shot still hit the crossbar so it failed to add a goal. The score 2-0 lasted until the end of the match.