April 08, (THEWILL) — A dominant first-leg display gave Paris Saint-Germain a 2-0 victory over Liverpool at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, leaving the Reds with a steep deficit to overturn in next week’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg at Anfield.
Desire Doue broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, his shot from outside the penalty area deflecting off Ryan Gravenberch and looping beyond the reach of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The Georgian stopper then produced important saves to deny Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Doue on the counter-attack, while Ousmane Dembele spurned a gilt-edged opportunity by firing directly at the keeper.
Liverpool’s clearest opening arrived five minutes before the interval, Jeremie Frimpong’s effort fizzing narrowly wide of the far post after Florian Wirtz’s clever flick.
Dembele wasted a further chance early in the second half, blazing over the crossbar from a promising position inside the box.
PSG’s persistence was rewarded when Joao Neves threaded a precise pass in behind the Liverpool defence, sending Kvaratskhelia clear.
The winger held off Gravenberch’s challenge, rounded Mamardashvili, and rolled the ball into the net to put the tie firmly in the hosts’ favour.
Referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez initially awarded a penalty after Ibrahima Konate brought down Doue inside the box, only for VAR to reverse the decision.
Nuno Mendes then failed to capitalise on a late opening, though Luis Enrique’s side carries a two-goal cushion into the return fixture at Anfield.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
