A Victory Despite 25 Shots Behind: Liverpool's Goalkeeper Plays the Match of His Life

Alisson Becker made eight crucial saves and helped his team match an incredible record.

From the very start, PSG dictated the game. The hosts confidently controlled possession, pressed high, and repeatedly created dangerous chances in front of Alisson Becker’s goal. The most active players were Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, and Bradley Barcola, who constantly threatened Liverpool’s defense.

The statistics speak for themselves: PSG took 27 shots, eight of them on target, yet none found the net. Liverpool, on the other hand, attempted just two shots, with only one on target — and it turned out to be the decisive goal. This matched the Champions League record for the largest shot difference (-25) in favor of the losing team. Possession was 65% to 35% in PSG’s favor, with 143 attacks to Liverpool’s 58. Despite dominating the game, the Parisians failed to break through Liverpool’s defense. Every time they attacked, their shots were either blocked by defenders or spectacularly saved by Alisson.

The Brazilian goalkeeper delivered one of the best performances of his career, making eight crucial saves and rescuing his team in seemingly hopeless situations. After the game, Alisson couldn’t hide his emotions:

“This was probably the best match of my life. We knew PSG was strong in attack and that we would suffer. But the team fought until the end, and that helped me do my job. Then Elliott came on and scored — it’s just incredible,” the goalkeeper told BBC.

A key moment of the match was Arne Slot’s decision to bring on Harvey Elliott in the 86th minute. After a long clearance by the goalkeeper, Liverpool won the second ball and quickly played it out wide. Just a minute after coming on, the 21-year-old midfielder received the ball at the edge of the box and curled a precise shot into the far corner — 1-0! This goal was a huge shock for PSG. They threw everything forward in the final minutes but still couldn’t unlock Liverpool’s defense.

Liverpool also achieved a remarkable feat this season — defeating the reigning champions of four top leagues with a combined score of 11-0, showcasing the team’s confidence and cohesion.

PSG’s head coach, Luis Enrique, couldn’t hide his frustration after the match. He believed his team played an almost perfect game but was ultimately undone by Liverpool’s resilience.

“This is very unfair. Possibly our most complete performance in the Champions League. Their best player was the goalkeeper. I’m proud of my team, but football can be cruel sometimes. We were far better than Liverpool, yet we lost. There’s still one more match — I’m sure things will be different,” Enrique told RMC Sport.

Now, PSG’s hopes rest on the return leg, set for March 11. The Parisians face a tough challenge — not only do they need to score, but they must also keep Liverpool from hitting them on the counterattack, where they are especially dangerous.

Published by Patrick Jane
06.03.2025