Last season’s beaten finalists Liverpool have it all to do to make the Champions League’s knockouts after they went down to a deserved 2-1 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain.
Spanish left-back Juan Bernat’s low shot and superstar Neymar’s tap-in – to become Brazil’s all-time top-scorer in the competition – made it 2-0 to the hosts by 37 minutes. The Reds were then given a lifeline in first-half injury time as Argentina winger Angel Di Maria’s wild challenge allowed veteran midfielder James Milner to score from the penalty spot.
Although better after the break, Liverpool struggled to craft promising chances in a match they couldn’t really afford to lose.
They must now beat Napoli, at home, by two goals or more when Group C winds up to advance.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
Alisson – 7: Was wrongfooted by Bernat for the opener and left exposed for Neymar’s second, after pulling off a superb stop on Cavani’s – mishit – close-range shot. Showed strong reaction to keep out a second-half header from compatriot Marquinhos.
Joe Gomez – 5: Preferred over Trent Alexander-Arnold as Jurgen Klopp looked to stiffen up his defence. Looked every bit the makeshift right-back in ragged first half. Improved after break, but awful cross killed a promising break just before hour mark.
Dejan Lovren – 6: Lack of speed was apparent when he was caught in behind for Bernat’s breakthrough. Ex-Lyon defender then steadily improved.
Virgil van Dijk – 6: Almost came unstuck from kick-off as Cavani raced past him. Was blameless when he deflected ball to Bernat on the stretch.
Andrew Robertson – 8: One of the few men in Red who looked comfortable, throughout, at Parc des Princes. Outran Di Maria after a lively start from the Argentina winger. Also pushed Mbappe out wide on the break in the 84th minute. What a signing.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 5: Biggest impact was on Neymar’s face for an early booking. Deservedly hooked for Keita.
Jordan Henderson – 4: This was not a captain’s performance by Henderson. Was a big reason why, unlike at Anfield, Liverpool could not keep a lid on the roaming Neymar.
James Milner – 7: Was full of positivity, clearly leading the way for the Reds with three key passes. Also made the most tackles with four. Team-mates needed to follow the veteran’s example. Showed usual poise to send Buffon the wrong way for spot-kick.
Mohamed Salah – 5: An ineffective performance from the Egypt superstar. Greedily shot into a wall of PSG defenders in second half, when several of his team-mates were open. When your team only has one attempt on target, fingers have to be pointed at a player of Salah’s standing.
Roberto Firmino – 5: Return to the score sheet at Watford wasn’t to last for the struggling striker. Miscued a header after the break and was soon hooked.
Sadio Mane – 6: Usual mixed bag from the ex-Metz player. Wildly hacked down by Di Maria – although he was prematurely hitting the deck – for the injury-time penalty-kick.
73% - Since the start of last season, Liverpool have scored more Champions League goals than any other side (48). 73% of these have been scored by either Mo Salah (12), Roberto Firmino (12) or Sadio Mane (11). Trio. pic.twitter.com/0WXoaCogQk
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 28, 2018
SUBSTITUTES
Naby Keita – 6: Struggled to get involved. No surprise considering lack of recent club action.
Daniel Sturridge – 5: Didn’t provide cure for toothless Liverpool display.
Xherdan Shaqiri – N/A: Came on for the tiring Milner. Set-piece delivery was poor.
