JAKARTA - Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) manager Luis Enrique said his team should have scored more goals after winning 2-0 over Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal in Paris on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
Desire Doue put the defending champions ahead in the 11th minute with a shot that hit an opponent and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added a solo goal midway through the second half.
However, Ousmane Dembele was poor in front of goal as the Ballon d'Or winner wasted three chances at the Parc des Princes. Last season's Champions League winners also had a penalty overturned by VAR and a second penalty appeal was turned down late in the game.
"It's a shame, obviously, we played very well and deserved more goals," said Luis Enrique, who was surprised Liverpool played so defensively.
Arne Slot substituted Mohamed Salah for the full 90 minutes and switched to a more defensive formation.
"This is the first time under Arne Slot they have played with five defenders this season," Enrique said again.
PSG took the lead when Dembele showed great technique on the edge of the penalty area before passing to the left to Doue, whose deflected shot soared past Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
After failing to take advantage of the previous opportunity, Dembele lowered his head after firing a volley from close range in the 53rd minute after a rebound from Nuno Mendes. The last chance also hit the crossbar at the end of the match.
The failure to take advantage of many opportunities clearly made PSG worried. Even though they had an aggregate lead, Les Parisiens were plagued by doubts facing the second leg at Anfield.
The reason is that the goal difference is still not safe because Liverpool still has the potential to turn things around in front of their own public.
"We are satisfied to have won, but I also feel a little frustrated because we had clear chances that we could have taken advantage of. We know that the second leg at Anfield will be complicated."
"So, the feeling is that maybe we should have scored three or four goals to secure the victory," said PSG midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery.
If you talk about statistics, PSG is more calm. Indeed, they have a positive record at Anfield. When the two teams met last season in the 16th round of the Champions League, Les Parisiens qualified for the next round through a penalty shootout after losing 0-1 at home and winning 1-0 at Anfield.
Only, Liverpool also has a record of being able to turn things around. Just look when The Reds managed to overcome the 0-3 defeat in the first leg against Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semi-finals before winning 4-0 at Anfield.
Therefore, Enrique emphasized that he would ask his players to attack in order to secure a leg in the semifinals.
"We didn't go there to defend, that's not our mentality. However, we know there will be moments where we will struggle at Anfield."
"I know it because I've been there many times as a player and coach," Luis Enrique said.
Striker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also had similar optimism. The player from Georgia revealed that PSG would focus on the second leg and was a little more comfortable because they were 2-0 ahead.
"We had the opportunity to score more goals. However, I think it's okay, 2-0 is good, but we have to stay focused," said Kvaratskhelia.
Kvaratskhelia scored in the 65th minute and, with typical footwork, beat a defender and the goalkeeper before scoring his eighth goal of the tournament, making him the team's top scorer.
He also became the first PSG player to score in four consecutive Champions League knockout games.
Meanwhile, the second leg will take place on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Anfield and could be another busy night for Liverpool, even at home.
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