Kvaratskhelia scores as PSG beats Liverpool
Ousmane Dembele had an off night but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added another solo goal to his collection as Paris Saint-Germain beat Liverpool 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday.
The Georgia star cut in from the left flank midway through the second half and, with typically quick feet, skipped past a defender and the goalkeeper before stroking in his team-leading eighth goal of the competition. “We had chances to score more,” Kvaratskhelia said.
“But I think it’s OK, 2-0 is good but we have to stay concentrated.”
Desire Doue put the defending champions ahead in the 11th minute with a deflected effort. The Ballon d’Or winner Dembele then spurned three chances at Parc des Princes. PSG coach Luis Enrique said his side should have scored more.
“It’s a pity, clearly, we played very well and deserved more goals,” he said, adding that he was surprised that Liverpool played so defensively. “It’s the first time under Arne Slot that they have played with five defenders this season.”
Accepting his team was outplayed, Slot explained his decision to be so cautious. “They have pace from everywhere all over the pitch, no matter where you look,” he said.
“They have so many weapons (and) the times when we tried to play high and aggressive they ripped us apart.”
When the two teams met last season in the round of 16, PSG advanced on penalties after losing 1-0 at home and winning 1-0 at Anfield. The task seems less difficult this time around for PSG with Liverpool facing a trophyless season.
However, six-time champion Liverpool overcame a 3-0 first-leg loss against Barcelona in the 2019 semifinals before winning 4-0 at home. The second leg is next Tuesday at Anfield.
“I’ve been through many special evenings at Anfield,” Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk told TNT Sports. “Our fans are the backbone of the club, and hopefully they can be there for us again.”
It could be another busy night for Liverpool, even at home. “We’re not going there to defend, that’s not in our mentality,” Luis Enrique said.
