Liverpool 0-2 PSG (0-4 agg.): Dembélé sends PSG onto the Champions League semi-finals

After their dominant 2-0 home victory in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final, Paris Saint-Germain travelled to the Merseyside to face Liverpool in a crucial second-leg clash at Anfield. Both sides will fight for a spot in the semi-finals of the competition, with PSG completely rested due to their postponed game on the weekend, while the Reds secured a 2-0 victory against Fulham.

For this game, Luis Enrique will have most of his players available with the exceptions of Quentin Ndjantou and Fabian Ruiz whose injury situation is unclear. The Spaniard coach will also see the return of Bradley Barcola following his ankle injury sustained in the second-leg 3-0 win against Chelsea.

Additionally, the former FC Barcelona coach aligned the exact same starting XI that defeated Arne Slot's team last week, hoping to deliver the same kind of performance.

Paris Saint-Germain's starting XI: Safonov; Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Hakimi; Warren Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Doué.

Liverpool's starting XI: Mamardashvili; Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Frimpong; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Isak, Ekitike.

Despite PSG having the first shots of the game, it was Liverpool who appeared to create more dangerous in the opening five minutes of the game. The Reds looked completely different from the first-leg and managed to hold onto the ball for extended period of time after 10 minutes.

Ousmane Dembélé had a massive opportunity to open the scoring and increase PSG's aggregate advantage but could not find the target from close range following a quickly taken throw-in. Marquinhos made a surreal goal-line clearance to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity from Virgil Van Dijk (31'). The PSG legend and club captain prevented the Reds from opening the score in their most dominant period of the game so far.

The second half opened with Liverpool in complete control of the game, putting PSG on the back foot, defending their two-goal advantage. This second-leg showed us a dramatically different Liverpool team. They put much more pressure on the ball, forcing several errors from the European Champions and managed to win the ball high.

The hosts thought to have been awarded a penalty following a very soft contact between Pacho and Mac Allister, however, the decision was overturned after a VAR review (66'). Shortly after, Ousmane Dembélé opened the score and ended all hopes of a comeback from Liverpool, giving a 3-0 aggregate lead to PSG (73').

In the dying embers of the game, the 2025 Ballon d'Or got himself a brace after a gracious service from substitute Barcola (90+1'). Luis Enrique and his team then comfortably saw out the game to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Up next, Paris Saint-Germain will make their return in Ligue 1 and host Lyon on Matchday 30. Additionally, the European Champions will face the winner of the tie between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich with the first-leg set to take place on April 28/29.

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