Liverpool stun PSG 1-0 in the Champions League Round of 16 first-leg

Paris Saint-Germain hosts Liverpool at the Parc des Princes for the Round of 16 of the Champions League. It is one of the highest-stakes game of the round that will see the exit of one of the favourites of the competition.

Ahead of the clash, Luis Enrique had his full squad at his disposal. On Liverpool's side, Cody Gakpo, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are out.

The Spaniard chose to start the first-leg of the tie with his usual starting XI, with the trio Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia and Barcola to lead the front line. Hakimi and Nuno Mendes will be the fullbacks and the pair Marquinhos - Pacho will be in charge to protect Gianluigi Donnarumma who's in between the posts.

Paris Saint-Germain's starting XI:Donnarumma; Marquinhos (cap.), Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz; Barcola, Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé.

Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Konaté, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Diaz, Szoboszlai; Diogo Jota.

Champions League: Heartbreaking loss for PSG in the first-leg

In an incandescent Parc des Princes, both teams started off the game with a high level of intensity, with Liverpool pressing PSG high on the pitch making it difficult for them to play out the back. Nonetheless, the first 15 minutes of the game saw Paris dominating on the ball against a Liverpool side who chose to sit deep.

The first huge opportunity of the game came at the 16th minute of the game when Joao Neves' shot went over the crossbar following an amazing from Ousmane Dembélé. The 27-year-old was undoubtedly in great form in this game. Kvaratskhelia thought to have opened the score with a wonderful strike but saw the goal disallowed for offside. Paris have been all over Liverpool in the first 25 minutes leaving no opportunities to the Merseyside team to be dangerous with no shots attempted in the period.

Barcola and Dembélé found themselves in 1-vs-1 situation against Alisson but saw the Brazilian and his defenders saving their shots. Liverpool’s shot-stopper is the main reason both teams are still level in this game after producing numerous exceptional saves in the first half.

The second half of the game started with the same intensity and with the hosts overwhelmingly dominating the visitors. Despite Les Parisiens' domination, Liverpool held on defensively whilst scarcely creating counterattack opportunities. The hosts created numerous chances but were denied by Alisson.

Substitute Harvey Elliott opened the score for the visitors less than a minute after coming on (87'). The Reds scored completly against the run of play on one of their only chances of the game.

Up next, PSG will face Rennes at the Roazhon Park on Saturday before the second-leg against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday.