Liverpool beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, with Alisson producing a man-of-the-match performance in Paris.
The visitors were under pressure early on as PSG started the brighter of the two, and the hosts thought they were ahead on 21 minutes as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia curled in, only for VAR to disallow it for offside.
But PSG came again in a frantic first half, with Joao Neves and Kvaratskhelia going close while Ibrahima Konate was arguably fortunate to avoid a red card for bringing down Bradley Barcola when the youngster was 1-v-1.
The second half started in much the same way as the hosts piled on the pressure, but Liverpool – and particularly Alisson – were equal to it as they defied wave after wave of PSG attacks.
And their resilience paid off in the end as Harvey Elliott – brought on just 47 seconds earlier – curled in from Darwin Nunez’s pass to give the Reds a huge advantage to take to Anfield.
Follow all the Champions League action with our live blog below:
PSG vs Liverpool LIVE
- Liverpool beat PSG in the Champions League round of 16 | Live on TNT Sports 1
- 87' GOAL! Elliott squeezes in a low effort from Nunez's pass [PSG 0-1 LIV]
- 21' DISALLOWED GOAL! Kvaratskhelia's brilliant effort is ruled out for offside [PSG 0-0 LIV]
- 16' CLOSE! Neves fires over after brilliant work from Dembele [PSG 0-0 LIV]
Paris Saint-Germain FC 0 - 1 Liverpool FC
Arne Slot: Liverpool still have work to do
07:08 , Lawrence OstlereLiverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged they were outplayed by Paris St Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday and while his side secured a smash-and-grab win in Paris he said the level of performance must be much higher at Anfield in the return leg.
Substitute Harvey Elliott netted a 87-minute winner just 47 seconds after coming on to earn a 1-0 win for the visitors, who had goalkeeper Alisson Becker to thank for helping them survive PSG's onslaught.
Liverpool host the return leg on Tuesday and Slot said PSG will feel they are still in the tie.
"If you look at the result, we come away here really positive but if you look at the performance then they are two different things," he added. "I think PSG take a lot of positives towards the game we are going to play in a week."
liverpool's great run continues
00:00 , Chris WilsonWhat a stat for Liverpool fans to take in...
Liverpool have beaten the likes of Real Madrid, PSG, Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan in the Champions League this season 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
They also conceded just 1 goal against these sides... pic.twitter.com/zf0SCEB5P3
Full first leg results
Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:45 , Chris WilsonHere’s a full list of the results form the first leg matches in the competition then:
PSV 1-7 Arsenal
Club Brugge 1-3 Aston Villa
PSG 0-1 Liverpool
Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Benfica 0-1 Barcelona
Bayern Munich 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Feyenoord 0-2 Inter Milan
Dortmund 1-1 Lille
Alisson gets official MOTM award
Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:30 , Chris WilsonDeserved to say the least! Nine huge saves from the Brazilian.
Special performance 🏆#UCL pic.twitter.com/w4Z9bfAA1h
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 5, 2025
Next up
Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:15 , Chris WilsonThe second leg takes place in six days’ time on Tuesday, 11 March at Anfield - that’s an 8pm kick-off.
Before that, Liverpool take on Southampton in the league on Saturday, with that game starting at 3pm.
PSG face Rennes in Ligue 1 at the same time this weekend.
Enrique reacts
Wednesday 5 March 2025 23:00 , Chris WilsonLuis Enriquez is next to speak to TNT, and he says that it is “difficult to think about the match in a positive way”.
“I think we deserved to win, it’s one of the best Champions League matches that we’ve done this season.
“When you think their best player was their goalkeeper…football is often unfair and we have to accept that, but we’re ready for Anfield.
“We dont have anything to lose. Today they created one or two chances, and we created a lot.
“I'm proud of my players, of my team, of the supporters, and that’s the key to continue.
“[They’re] top players, [a] top quality team, and I think they haven’t felt that [pressure] this season.
“We have our last chance and we’re going to think about that in a positive way,” he adds.
When asked if PSG can still win the tie, he replies: “Of course!”
More from Slot
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:55 , Chris WilsonSlot adds that “there were a lot of similarities today with our game against Manchester City, where we faced a team that is so, so good in ball possession and have some great wingers that dominate one v one situations”.
"I said before the game that we would not dominate ball possession over here. The only thing I can blame my players for is that four, five, six times we tried to play through them and it was completely open and the last touch should be better. Maybe it was due to tiredness from defending so much. That is sometimes difficult after defending so much.
"If you look at the underlying stats in the Champions League too it shows you they were number one, and they have already played Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Arsenal. To have the best stats after facing that quality tells you a lot.
"For us the only way over here with their fans behind them was to defend as we did. Now we are hoping that our fans at Anfield will help us a lot. We will need Anfield two times," he adds as he finishes.
Slot reacts
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:50 , Chris WilsonSlot says that he doesn’t “think I've worked with a goalkeeper that has played at this level” before, adding that Alisson is “the best in the world”.
“He showed that today,” adds the Dutchman.
“To go away with a win over here, that’s a bit more than we deserved,” he says.
When asked about his subs constantly impacting games, he says: “Darwin was in a difficult place but he showed again how important he can be.
“Harvey I said to him after the game, ‘I assume you’re quite frustrated with me because you hardly play and you only get five minutes tonight’.
“They want to be there for the team if needed, and they showed up today,” he adds.
Arne Slot’s tactical masterstroke proved decisive against PSG – but not how you think
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:39 , Miguel DelaneyÉcraser et attraper, as those at the Parc des Princes might say. What else can you say, after a victory that defied a lot of logic - but not all logic? Liverpool got away with one, and they have to now think this stunning 1-0 away to Paris Saint-Germain gets them halfway into the quarter-final. A young Paris Saint-Germain will now only feel regret, after what must have been one of the great unfulfilled Champions League performances. It should have been one of the great performances, full-stop. That might instead be said of Alisson Becker, who did so much more than set the stage for impact substitute Harvey Elliott’s 87th-minute winner, or keep Liverpool in the game.
He kept them from getting hammered. If Liverpool were hugely unfortunate to have to face Paris Saint-Germain having finished first in the group stage, there was instant karma. They were just as fortunate not to be out of the tie by the half-hour mark.
Arne Slot’s tactical masterstroke proved decisive against PSG – but not how you think
FT: PSG 0-1 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:35 , Chris WilsonTwo happy wingers!
Mo Salah drops his weekly post-match selfie with the goalscorer.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
Tonight it's Harvey Elliott's turn 🤳 pic.twitter.com/KvWvGIFI1b
Elliott reacts
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:30 , Chris WilsonSpeaking alongside Alisson, Harvey Elliott says “ull credit to the team to be honest”.
“They [PSG] became a little tired towards the end, and that was due to the team’s work-rate.
“Thanks to this man [Alisson] and the defence [we won]. It was down to me to put the opportunity away, and thankfully it went in.”
On Alisson, he adds: “I’ve got no words to be honest. The best in the world. Each and every game he shows it.
“Without him, I don’t know where we’d be. But it was a great team performance.”
Alisson reacts
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:25 , Chris WilsonLiverpool ‘keeper Alisson says the game “was probably the performance of my life”.
“The manager was telling us how hard it would be to play against PSG, how good they are with the ball and that we would have to be ready to suffer. We knew what was coming.
"We worked hard. We gave away so many chances, sometimes one v one but the biggest part of the chase is having someone make the player with the chance think a bit more.
"All the efforts the team put in makes my job easier. Then at the end Harvey [Elliott] coming in and scoring the goal, it is a great story for us. A great night,” he adds.
FULL-TIME! PSG 0-1 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:25 , Chris WilsonSteve McManaman summing up how Liverpool fans feel right now...
Alisson as man of the match
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:16 , Chris WilsonA word on Alisson’s performance, with the Brazilian making nine saves tonight.
It was his long ball that began the chance that led to the goal, too.
Champions League results
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:10 , Chris WilsonHere’s a brief look at the other results from tonight in the competition:
Bayern Munich 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Feyenoord 0-2 Inter Milan
Benfica 0-1 Barcelona
FULL-TIME! PSG 0-1 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:05 , Chris WilsonWell, what a result for Liverpool.
In the first half the performance was poor in truth, but they rode it out and the second-half display was far better.
The stats show that PSG had the chances but in truth Liverpool limited them to efforts from distance and plenty of crosses in the second half, and they pounced when it matters.
It looks like PSG will have at least another year of questions surrounding their pedigree in Europe.
FULL-TIME! PSG 0-1 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 22:02 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! PSG 0-1 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:55 , Chris WilsonThe referee brings the game to an end and it’s a brilliant Liverpool win given the circumstances.
A famous performance from Alisson and a great result for Arne Slot’s side, who will be huge favourites to progress now.
PSG 0-1 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:54 , Chris Wilson90 +4 mins
Brilliant feet from Doue to skip past two challenges and he wins a late corner.
It ends up being crossed to Ramos but it bounces off him and Alisson collects. That should be that!
PSG 0-1 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:53 , Chris Wilson90 +3 mins
Liverpool look remarkably comfortable now with their lead, though you’d think PSG will have another chance before the end.
Mendes tries to lead the attack and he fires an effort from an angle, but Alisson collects once again.
Certainly a man of the match performance from the Brazilian.
PSG 0-1 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:51 , Chris Wilson90 +2 mins
Now it’s Liverpool’s turn to keep possession as they look to run down the clock.
PSG launch it long but there’s nothing doing there with Konate and van Dijk at the back.
PSG 0-1 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:49 , Chris Wilson90 mins
PSG are looking for an equaliser but Doue’s cross is deflected straight to Alisson.
There’ll be five minutes of added time in Paris.
GOAL! PSG 0-1 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:47 , Chris Wilson87 mins
GOAL! The visitors are ahead!
They’ve escaped with a goal!
It’s simple too, as the long ball is knocked back towards Nunez. He drives towards the box and the space opens up, and he lays it off to the right for Elliott, who’s arriving and squeezes an effort past Donnarumma for 1-0!
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:45 , Chris Wilson87 mins
Salah makes way for Harvey Elliott as Slot looks to change things. Not his best night, but he could easily decide the tie next week at Anfield.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:44 , Chris Wilson85 mins
PSG are just working it from side to side now but there are no openings in the liverpool defence. They’ve defended brilliantly in the second period.
PSG do work a half-chance as Dembele curls an effort goalwards, but Alisson scoops it away.
Liverpool have a great chance on the counter as Salah tries to find Nunez in-behind the defence, but the pass is poor .
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:42 , Chris Wilson82 mins
Endo unlucky not to win a free-kick near halfway as he beats Neves to a ball and the Portuguese goes flying in late. That would have relieved some pressure.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:39 , Chris Wilson80 mins
There’s a little less pace to the game at the moment, with Liverpool happy to sit back and absorb pressure. All 11 men are behind the ball right now.
And PSG go close as Doue cuts inside before curling a brilliant effort that Alisson flies across and gets a fingertip to.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:38 , Chris Wilson78 mins
A change for Liverpool too as Wataru Endo comes on for Gravenberch.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:37 , Chris Wilson77 mins
Two more changes for PSG as Zaire-Emery and Goncalo Ramos come on for Kvaratskhelia and Ruiz.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:35 , Chris Wilson75 mins
Jones takes down Doue and it’s a decent chance to put a ball into the box for PSG.
Dembele and Doue are standing over it - they take a short routine and it ends with the latter firing a shot straight at Alisson at the near post.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:3373 mins
25 attempts for PSG to Liverpool’s one so far. It might be a touch cynical, but when do fans start to question the quality of PSG’s chances, or the attackers at the end of them?
There’s a brief break in play as Donnarumma is down after a challenge from Nunez.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:29 , Chris Wilson70 mins
For all their possession and good chances, PSG still haven’t got the goal they probably need ahead of the second leg.
Van Dijk goes into the book for time-wasting, which tells you a little but about how Liverpool are feeling out there.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:28 , Chris Wilson69 mins
Superb stuff from Dembele as he produces two great turns before fizzing in a great cross into the corridor between Alison and his defence, but there’s nobody there to poke home.
PSG come again and it’s more good work from Alisson to palm away Doue’s cross.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:26 , Chris Wilson67 mins
Liverpool do make two changes, as Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones come on for Jota and Diaz.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:25 , Chris Wilson66 mins
A spell of PSG possession ends with Dembele winning a corner as he tried to get the shot away.
PSG make a sub as Barcola comes on for 19-year-old Desire Doue.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:24 , Chris Wilson64 mins
Liverpool do work a 3-v-3 situation in attack as Szoboszlai leads the counter, and he sweeps it to Salah but his pass is straight to Donnarumma.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:21 , Chris Wilson63 mins
Both sides look like they’re preparing changes at the moment as Dembele whips in a corner that Szoboszlai puts behind right in front of his own net.
From the next one, Hakimi loses his balance as he rifles and effort over.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:1960 mins
It’s not clicking for either side in the final third at the moment, but it’s really end-to-end stuff.
Jota tries to thread a pass into Salah’s path in the box, but there’s too much on it.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:16 , Chris Wilson58 mins
Liverpool have their first bit of sustained possession in a good while as they try to take some of the sting out of the game, but it comes to nothing in attack.
At the other end, Dembele and Barcola are inches away from combining in the box.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:15 , Chris Wilson57 mins
PSG continue piling on the pressure, with a cross from the right forcing a good hand to palm away from Alisson.
They lose possession briefly but they’re winning every 50-50 and loose ball right now.
Kvaratskhelia lines up another effort from distance but Alisson is equal to it again, diving to his right to pounce on it.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:13 , Chris Wilson55 mins
It’s Kvaratskhelia who lines up the set-piece – and it’s a superb effort, rifled towards the far post and forcing a good save from Alisson.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:12 , Chris Wilson53 mins
PSG are enjoying plenty of possession at the moment but they can't get through the Liverpool defence, with the visitors happy to sit back for now.
Arne slot’s side have attempted a few long balls in behind the defence this half but none have come off yet.
Kvaratskhelia wins another fee-kick near the area after being clipped by Jota.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:09 , Chris Wilson50 mins
Liverpool have a chance to break but Marquinhos spots the run of Diaz and gets the headstart to beat him to it.
At the other end, Dembele drops the shoulder to skip past Szoboszlai, but he fires well wide.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:07 , Chris Wilson47 mins
A much slower start to the second period as the hosts pass around in their half. They’re just looking to settle early on, rather than probing in attack .
KICK-OFF! PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 21:04 , Chris WilsonThe home side get the match back underway in Paris.
HALF-TIME! PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:59 , Chris WilsonIt’s been brilliantly entertaining stuff in Paris.
Liverpool have been disappointing by their standards and are perhaps lucky to even have 11 men on the pitch, but they’re obviously still in this.
PSG will be wondering how they aren’t ahead, but all their dominance will count for nothing if they don’t get a goal or two to take to Anfield.
HALF-TIME! PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:54 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:50 , Chris WilsonThe referee blows the whistle and the first half comes to an end in Paris.
it’s been a great half for the neutral, and PSG have performed brilliantly at times.
Liverpool haven't been themselves, but they’re still in with a chance of having Paris with a vital lead.
Nevertheless, it’s probably the toughest opponent they’ve faced all season up to now, and it shows in the players’ faces.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:49 , Chris Wilson45 + 2 mins
Dembele’s cross is blocked for a throw, and we’ll have what is likely the final chance of the half as PSG recycle possession.
Hakimi tries to find Barcola with the near-post run, but the cross is just a second too early and Konate shepherds his compatriot off the ball, before Liverpool clear via Szoboszlai.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:46 , Chris Wilson45 mins
Half a chance for the visitors this time as Mac Alliater’s corner is nodded on but Salah can't reach it at the far post!
There’ll be two minutes of added time in Paris.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:45 , Chris Wilson44 mins
There’s a brief break in play as Jota is down after being fouled near halfway, but he’ll be okay to carry on.
From the free-kick, it almost falls for Jota but Mendes does brilliantly to poke it away from the striker.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:43 , Chris Wilson42 mins
It’s about 25 yards this set-piece – and it’s deflected behind.
From the corner, van Dijk heads away well before Liverpool win a free-kick for offside.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:41 , Chris Wilson40 mins
Plenty of fluidity to PSG tonight with Barcola and Kvaratskhelia picking the ball up in a variety of positions across the front line at times this half.
They get forward again and they win a free-kick as Hakimi is barged over by Diaz near the edge of the area.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:39 , Chris Wilson38 mins
Kvaratskhelia is playing brilliantly out here. He opts to do it all himself this time, picking the ball up in the box in an isolated position before twisting and working the space for a low shot that forces a good diving save from Alisson.
Moments later, Marquinhos is the first booking of the day as he blocks Jota on the counter.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:37 , Chris Wilson36 mins
It’s been frantic stuff here at the Parc des Princes, and we still have around 10 minutes of this half to go.
Liverpool look a little shocked at the tempo and quality that they’re facing at the moment, though they’ve settled somewhat in the last couple of minutes.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:36 , Chris Wilson34 mins
It’s almost such a good chance for Liverpool as Pacho slips when chasing a long ball to allow Jota to run through. Liverpool have a 2-v-1, but Jota can’t find the pass to Diaz.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:33 , Chris Wilson31 mins
How is this still level?
PSG come again and this time Barcola breaks the offside line with a pass through to Dembele.
The Frenchman is 1-v-1 with Alisson and his shot is straight at him, but Ruiz picks up the rebound with the ‘keeper off his line.
They work it back to Ruiz and his shot is blocked by Szoboszlai, before Barcola fires well over.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:31 , Chris Wilson30 mins
Almost lovely stuff from Kvaratskhelia as he beats a man in the box before clipping a pass towards goal, but the chip runs straight to Alisson.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:30 , Chris Wilson28 mins
That’s two VAR decisions that have gone Liverpool’s way, though you can’t really argue with either.
The red card one could have gone either way, but once it wasn’t given there was not enough to overturn the original decision.
It’s PSG who are on top here still, with Kvaratskhelia launching another effort from distance. This one forces Alisson into a good diving save down to his right.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:2826 mins
There’s a VAR check for offside here as PSG launch a long ball forward and Barcola is chasing it. He gets in front of Konate and the Liverpool man barges him over just outside the box.
There’s a long look...but it’s cleared!
The commentary team do not agree with that one.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:2624 mins
Another driven effort from distance from PSG but this one barely tests Alisson.
The replays of the offside show that Kvaratskhelia was offside by less than the length of his calf!
DISALLOWED GOAL! PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:23 , Chris Wilson21 mins
GOAL DISALLOWED! The hosts thought they were ahead!
It’s a great finish too, as the corner comes back to Vitiniha and he slips a pass into Kvaratkhelia, who curls a lovely effort into the far corner.
However, the Georgian was offside as he received the pass in the box!
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:21 , Chris Wilson20 mins
It’s yet more brilliant work from Dembele as he picks up the ball near halfway, beats his man with the nutmeg and drives towards the box.
The space opens up for him and he fires a low effort that’s deflected.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:19 , Chris Wilson17 mins
More good work from Dembele earns PSG a corner, but it ends with Vitinha dragging an effort wide from outside of the area.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:18 , Chris Wilson16 mins
CLOSE! PSG should be ahead, and it’s brilliant from Dembele.
He picks the ball up on the wing and beats two challenges with a deliberately heavy touch, before his cutback falls to Neves. The midfielder has more time than he realises and hits a first-time effort that bounces over the bar!
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:15 , Chris Wilson13 mins
Half a chance for the hosts as Diaz gives it away with a poor squared pass and they advance on the box. Barcola sweeps it wide to Kvaratskhelia, and the Georgian tires to find him with the return pass, but it’s cut out just before he can shoot.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:12 , Chris Wilson10 mins
Both teams have settled pretty well but it’s PSG who are enjoying more possession at the moment. No chances fir either side yet though.
The hosts are working it well in the Liverpool defensive third but the Reds’ defence is steadfast for now.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:09 , Chris Wilson8 mins
There are a few breaks in play but soon after PSG work their first chance as Barcola finds some space in the box, but his shot comes off Konate and is cleared.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:06 , Chris Wilson5 mins
Good pressure from Diaz forces Marquinhos to concede a throw-in, though the visitors can’t fashion a chance out of it.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:05 , Chris Wilson4 mins
Liverpool are just feeling their way into this one at the moment, with a long ball forward ending in Marquinhos just about dispossessing Jota.
The visitors are taking their time when they do have the ball.
PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:03 , Chris Wilson2 mins
A huge roar as PSG get forward with purpose for the first time, but Hakimi’s cross is blocked before he concedes a goal kick.
KICK-OFF! PSG 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 5 March 2025 20:01 , Chris WilsonThe away side get us underway in the French capital!
It sounds like a brilliant atmosphere at the Parc des Princes tonight.
PSG vs Liverpool LIVE
Wednesday 5 March 2025 19:55Both teams are in the tunnel at the Parc des Princes now, so we’re around five minutes from kick-off.
We’ll be hearing the anthems soon!
Dembele the one to be wary of for Liverpool?
Wednesday 5 March 2025 19:50 , Chris WilsonOusmane Dembele emerged as a wondered at both Dortmund and Barca, though his spell at the latter saw him lose that tag.
His return to his home country with PSG didn’t get off to a brilliant start, but at 27 he seems to be finding his feet – and some form.
The winger – who has been deployed more as a striker at times this season – has 25 goals in all competitions for PSG this season, including five in his last two Champions League outings.
He could well be the one to watch for Liverpool tonight.
Head-to-head
Wednesday 5 March 2025 19:45 , Chris WilsonTonight will be the fifth meeting between these two sides, with the first two dating back to 1996/97, when they faced off in the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Liverpool won the home leg 2-0 but it wasn’t enough to come back from a 3-0 away defeat as the French side progressed to the final.
The last time these two sides met was in the group stage of the Champions League in 2018, with Liverpool winning 3-2 at home and losing 2-1 away.
Liverpool can achieve a modern first by proving Arne Slot’s claim
Wednesday 5 March 2025 19:40 , Chris WilsonIf it’s the sort of thing that Arne Slot just doesn’t see the value of getting into, Luis Enrique had no problem going there.
“We will play against the best team in Europe,” the Paris Saint-Germainmanager said of Liverpool. That description is hard to dispute given their comfortable first-place positions at the top of both the Premier League and the Champions League group stage, but that debate isn’t really what’s significant here.
What is more relevant is what that does for the squad, and what it says for their chances of history this season. Because, as supreme as Liverpool have been for eight years, it’s only been infrequently the case that they were outright the best side on the continent.
PSG vs Liverpool LIVE
Wednesday 5 March 2025 19:31 , Chris WilsonIt’s quite the welcome that both sets of players received in Paris!
For Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, Liverpool’s famous full-back duo, this might be the last dance
Wednesday 5 March 2025 19:25 , Chris WilsonIt isn’t why Liverpool’s last trip to Paris tends to be remembered, but it brought a minor slice of history for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson. In the 21st century – and indeed, since the heyday of Paolo Maldini and Mauro Tassotti, the men on the sides of perhaps the most famous back four of all – only two full-back partnerships have started three Champions League finals together.
No prizes for guessing that the Real Madrid double act of Dani Carvajal and Marcelo were the first. The Liverpool duo are the second, which would have felt utterly improbable even a year before they lined up against Carvajal and Marcelo in Kyiv in 2018. Rewind to 2017 and Robertson was being relegated with Hull, Alexander-Arnold a veteran of just two Premier League starts.
Fast forward a year and, in defeat to Real, Robertson was one of Liverpool’s finest players. A further year on, and it was Alexander-Arnold’s “genius moment”, to quote Jurgen Klopp on the night itself, that took Liverpool to Madrid.
For Liverpool’s famous full-back duo, this might be the last dance
Match facts
Wednesday 5 March 2025 19:20 , Chris WilsonPSG are on a five-game win streak in the UEFA Champions League, scoring 21 goals and only conceding three times in this run. They last won six in a row in the competition in the 1994-95 campaign.
Liverpool have lost each of their last three games in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, although all three of those have been against Real Madrid (2021-22 final and home/away in 2022-23 last 16).
Liverpool, beware: How PSG discarded ‘bling-bling’ to become a serious Champions League force
Wednesday 5 March 2025 19:15 , Chris WilsonIn Liverpool’s preparations for Paris Saint-Germain, the staff have already come across quite a difference to their last meetings, in the 2018-19 group stage. The French champions are now a team that come at you with everything. They are stripped down and lean, brimming with youthful energy like that of French winger Bradley Barcola. Even Ousmane Dembele, once as unfortunate a symbol of football’s excess as Neymar, isn’t wasting anything.
That marks quite a difference to when Thomas Tuchel stood in the Anfield dressing room in September 2018, and has since told people he couldn’t believe what he heard. As detailed in this writer’s book ‘States of Play’, the German tried to exhort his €600m team to just run more, only to receive the response “why?”
How PSG discarded ‘bling-bling’ to become a serious Champions League force
PSG hunting a first Champions League title
Wednesday 5 March 2025 19:10 , Chris WilsonPSG are still looking for their first Champions League trophy, having come closest in 2020 when they were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich in a re-arranged final (due to Covid).
The Parisian side were only founded in 1970, and their European honours include the Intertoto Cup in 2001 and the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup in 1996.
PSG team news
Wednesday 5 March 2025 19:05 , Chris WilsonFor PSG, Luis Enrique has made three changes to the side that beat Lille 4-1 at the weekend.
In defence, Willian Pacho comes in for Lucas Beraldo, while in midfield, Vitinha replaces Desire Doue.
In the attacking positions, Ousmane Dembele leads the line while Goncalo Ramos drops out for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
PSG line-up
Wednesday 5 March 2025 18:58 , Chris WilsonPSG XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola.
Subs: Safonov, Tenas, Kimpembe, Goncalo Ramos, Doue, Lee, Hernandez, Mayulu, Zaire Emery, Lucas Beraldo, Mbaye.
Team news
Wednesday 5 March 2025 18:51 , Chris WilsonArne Slot has made just one change from the side that beat Newcastle 2-0 last time out, with Andy Robertson replacing Kostas Tsimikas at left-back.
Luis Diaz starts on the left wing, with Diogo Jota leading the line as expected due to the poor form of Darwin Nunez.
Line-ups
Wednesday 5 March 2025 18:46 , Chris WilsonLiverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota.
Subs: Jaros, Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Tsimikas, McConnell, Quansah, Nyoni.
The Reds to take on PSG 💫🔴 #UCL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 5, 2025
Team news
Wednesday 5 March 2025 18:40 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups should be released in the next five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news.
PSG have a fully fit squad with no reported injury concerns. Warren Zaire-Emery has recently returned from an ankle injury and could replace Desire Doue in midfied, but Vitinha is more likely to start.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia may return to the side with the in-form Ousmane Dembele returning to the central striker position and the dangerous Bradley Barcola taking up the other flank.
Cody Gakpo is a major doubt for Liverpool after picking up a knock on Tuesday, although the forward has travelled to Paris as part of the squad.
Arne Slot may use Diogo Jota or Darwin Nunez, or prefer to use Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai as ‘false-nines’ as he did against Manchester City. Liverpool can pick their strongest defence and midfield, but Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are out.
Liverpool bidding for a seventh European Cup
Wednesday 5 March 2025 18:32 , Chris WilsonLiverpool are among the favourites for the Champions League this year as they look to win a seventh European Cup.
The Reds are the most successful English club in the competition’s history, with three more titles than nearest challenger Manchester United.
And they are among the most successful clubs in Europe overall, with their six titles equalled by Bayern Munich and only bettered by AC Milan (7) and Real Madrid (15).
Liverpool last won the competition in 2019 when they beat Spurs 2-0, though they were losing finalists in 2018 and 2022. On both occasions, they were beaten by Real Madrid.
Match facts
Wednesday 5 March 2025 18:25 , Chris WilsonThis will be just the third UEFA Champions League meeting between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, with the two sides previously squaring off in the 2018-19 group stage, with the Reds winning 3-2 at home and losing 1-2 away.
The rise of Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s No 10 reviving Hungary’s famous football legacy
Wednesday 5 March 2025 18:20 , Chris WilsonHungary is hardly short of football royalty, but you have to go back generations to a time when the Mighty Magyars boasted some of the most regal talent in global football.
Little wonder then, that Dominik Szoboszlai’s performances in the Liverpool midfield have been a source of enormous national pride in Budapest and beyond this season.
Hungary’s football-crazy public suddenly have a modern role model that young footballers are falling over themselves to emulate, a fact that MTK Budapest's academy chief, Zsolt Szekely, witnesses first hand every time he goes onto the training pitch at one of the country's most famous football institutions.
The rise of Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s No 10 reviving a famous football legacy
Match facts
Wednesday 5 March 2025 18:06 , Chris WilsonThese two sides will face each other in the knockout stages of a major European competition for the first time since meeting in the semi-final of the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1996-97, with the Parisians progressing to the final following a 3-2 aggregate victory.
The Champions League returns and its flaws leave an unintended benefit
Wednesday 5 March 2025 18:00 , Chris WilsonThere are a lot of elite footballers who still have the Champions League theme as their ringtone, and some will be actively playing it on the way to stadiums. Familiarity hasn’t dulled excitement. It’s fair to say that isn’t really from the relative laboriousness of the group stage, but rather the exquisite energy of the knockouts.
This week is where football history starts to be made, partly because of how visions of glory can be instantly consigned to the past. It is tension and tantalising opportunity all at once. Through that, there’s a distinctive thought, one even more striking than the sense many players will feel this week of stepping out into great stadiums. A good chunk of this season’s stars were children when watching Barcelona’s comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, the kind of game that made them first realise the unique magic of these nights.
That was obviously the case for Camp Nou’s current talents like Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Gavi but also stars like Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala, Ryan Gravenberch and arguably even William Saliba and Bukayo Saka. Such grandeur and mystique is what Uefa and all of football’s major stakeholders at least think they are striving for.
The Champions League returns and its flaws leave an unintended benefit
Is PSG vs Liverpool on TV?
Wednesday 5 March 2025 17:40 , Chris WilsonWhen is PSG vs Liverpool?
The match is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday 4 March at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France.
How can I watch the match?
In the UK, the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm. Subscribers can also watch online and via the discovery+ app.
Prediction
Wednesday 5 March 2025 17:30 , Chris WilsonPSG are in a good run of form and will bring some confidence into the match after their 10-0 aggregate win over Brest. Liverpool are a different opponent though and although Arne Slot’s side may not be hitting the same levels they did at the beginning of the year they are still formidable and know how to win.
PSG 1-2 Liverpool.
Predicted line-ups
Wednesday 5 March 2025 17:20 , Chris WilsonPSG XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes; Vitinha, Ruiz, Neves; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota.
Team news
Wednesday 5 March 2025 17:10 , Chris WilsonPSG have a fully fit squad with no reported injury concerns. Warren Zaire-Emery has recently returned from an ankle injury and could replace Desire Doue in midfied, but Vitinha is more likely to start.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia may return to the side with the in-form Ousmane Dembele returning to the central striker position and the dangerous Bradley Barcola taking up the other flank.
Team news
Wednesday 5 March 2025 17:06 , Chris WilsonCody Gakpo is a major doubt for Liverpool after picking up a knock on Tuesday, although the forward has travelled to Paris as part of the squad.
Arne Slot may use Diogo Jota or Darwin Nunez, or prefer to use Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai as ‘false-nines’ as he did against Manchester City. Liverpool can pick their strongest defence and midfield, but Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are out.
PSG vs Liverpool LIVE
Wednesday 5 March 2025 17:03 , Chris WilsonLiverpool’s quest for Champions League glory continues this evening as they travel to the French capital to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-16 clash.
Arne Slot’s men, who finished top of the table in the new league phase, went straight through to this stage of the competition and were rewarded with a fixture against a resurgent and fine-tund PSG. Liverpool won seven of their eight league phase games and with a firm grip on the Premier League trophy (they are 13 points clear at the top) they can focus their efforts on progessing in Europe.
PSG, meanwhile, came through the play-off round. A 3-0 win in their first leg against Brest did the damage in the tie but the compounded that with a 7-0 spanking at the Parc de Princes in the second leg.
PSG vs Liverpool LIVE
Wednesday 5 March 2025 17:00 , Chris WilsonGood evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s Champions League last-16 match between Liverpool and PSG.
The Reds travel to Paris looking to put one foot in the quarter-finals, tough they face a resurgent PSG side who are looking to bury their reputation as one of the competition’s nearly sides.
We’ll have all the latest team news, build-up and updates here.
