Liverpool lost 2–0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. The game at Parc des Princes was settled by goals in either half from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
PSG, the defending Champions League holders, scored a goal in each half but had two strong penalty appeals denied and missed a host of other chances that could have put the tie beyond doubt before next week's second leg.
Liverpool were out-shot 18–3 and had just 26% of possession on the night. Arne Slot dropped Mohamed Salah and brought in an extra defender, Joe Gomez, to play with a back-five rather than the usual back-four. Salah remained on the bench for the entire match.
Doué scored early in the 11th minute, with the aid of a deflection, while Kvaratskhelia improved PSG's position in the tie further by striking in the 65th minute. João Neves threaded a brilliant pass into space for the Georgian forward, who cut inside, rounded the goalkeeper, and put it away with ease.
Kvaratskhelia has now scored in four successive Champions League knockout matches for PSG, a total of five goals in this edition. Warren Zaïre-Emery, aged 20 years and 31 days, became the youngest player to reach 40 Champions League appearances, surpassing the record previously held by Jude Bellingham.
PSG's last four two-legged European ties against English clubs have all ended in victory, and they have now won their last six Champions League two-legged ties.
Arne Slot acknowledged after the match: "We were lucky to only lose 2–0, as they had more chances than goals they scored. It's very good we're still in the tie — we can bring them to Anfield, and we all know how much of a difference Anfield can make."
Kvaratskhelia warned Liverpool: "We had the chances to score more and we should have. We have to remain concentrated, the atmosphere at Anfield will be incredible. We're ready."
The Reds must now overturn a two-goal deficit at Anfield next Tuesday to progress to a semi-final against either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Liverpool have lost four consecutive away games for the first time since April 2012, making the task ahead all the more daunting.
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