Despite a much-improved performance from their first leg in the Champions League quarterfinals against PSG, Liverpool’s two biggest Achilles’ heels this season—a lack of clinical finishing and ill-timed injuries—ultimately doomed the Reds to a 2–0 defeat (4–0 on aggregate), sending them out of the competition at the hands of the French giants for the second consecutive year.
The second half in particular showed a completely different Liverpool side from the one at the Parc des Princes that registered zero shots on target, with the Reds ultimately edging the stats for shots on target, possession, and corners won.
However, a series of missed chances and an Ousmane Dembélé brace ultimately brought the comeback effort to an end.
Given that the scoreline may not have done justice to the performance, how did the Reds rate on an individual level?
Starting XI:
Giorgi Mamardashvili: 6.5/10- He had some strong, aggressive moments to snuff out attacks, but still needs to develop greater composure on the ball, as he can look uneasy playing out with his feet.
He perhaps could have done better on Dembele's opener, but the shortcomings in this performance clearly stemmed from a lack of clinical finishing—something that cannot be pinned on the goalkeeper.
Virgil van Dijk: 7/10- He nearly opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark, only to be denied by a superb tackle from Marquinhos. It felt as though Liverpool likely deserved a clean sheet in this one, but it wasn’t to be. Still, a solid performance from the captain.
Ibrahima Konate: 7/10- Perhaps the biggest individual turnaround from the first leg. After being caught out of position on several occasions previously, Ibou put in a very solid shift this time while the game was still in the balance.
Milos Kerkez: 7/10- He threw his body around and defended well throughout the night, but I’d like to see a bit more assurance when picking out a forward pass, rather than opting to clear the ball at the first sign of danger. Not his best performance, but far from his worst.
Jeremie Frimpong: 6.5/10- Jeremie’s run of clutch assists and driving dribbles has stalled since returning from injury. He wasn’t poor, but his ability to surge forward and consistently make defenders indecisive seems to have dipped.
Alexis Mac Allister: 7.5/10- He adapted well to playing in an advanced midfield role after spending much of the season in a deeper position. He also drew what initially looked to be a penalty before VAR ruled there wasn’t enough contact.
Given how influential he was during last year’s run-in, there’s hope he can build on this performance and carry it into the Premier League.
Ryan Gravenberch: 8/10- He showed excellent composure on the ball, particularly in the first half, linking play with sharp first touches and setting up Isak for a promising chance had the Swede timed his run better. He continued to drive forward while anchoring the No. 6 role with authority, and can hold his head high despite the defeat.
Florian Wirtz: 6/10- The inverse of Konate's two-legged performance. After appearing to be the only Liverpool player in Paris capable of consistently creating chances, Wirtz drifted through this match and ultimately failed to have much of an impact.
He still looks short on confidence when it comes to shooting in tight areas, despite having shown exceptional ability in that regard while playing for Germany.
Dominik Szoboszlai: 6.5/10- He delivered strong pre-match comments about being ready to “die on the pitch,” but that intensity didn’t quite translate into his performance.
Like Wirtz, he appeared to pass up several opportunities from outside the box despite possessing a powerful right foot. His defensive work rate was solid, as usual, but overall he wasn’t at his customary level tonight.
Alexander Isak: 6/10- An unimpressive start. He was caught offside several times, and even on one such occasion, likely wouldn’t have produced the quality needed to convert the chance. Some leniency is warranted given his 45-minute cap following injury, but sooner rather than later, fans will expect a return commensurate with his price tag.
Hugo Ekitike: N/A- Devastatingly picked up a non-contact injury which ended his night prematurely. Could be a devastating blow for Liverpool's run-in; fans have to hope it wasn't as serious as it looks.
Substitutes:
Salah: 7.5/10- He played like someone aware there was a strong chance this would be his final Champions League appearance for the club after coming on in the first half. He delivered several dangerous balls into the box, with PSG at times struggling to contain him. A fitting European curtain call for Mo’s time with the Reds.
Joe Gomez: N/A- Only played 21 minutes; it doesn’t feel like a big enough sample size to fairly rate Joe, especially as he appeared to pick up yet another knock in a Liverpool shirt. He did have a decent chance from a corner header, but there was little else to report.
Cody Gakpo: 7/10- Came on with a confidence that seems to have been missing from his game all season. He'll be disappointed to go out of the CL, but hopefully this is a display that both himself and the fans can take as a positive sign that he can turn up when it matters most domestically.
Rio Ngumoha- 7.5/10: Per usual, he brought a remarkable level of confidence and quality for a player of his age after coming on as a substitute, forcing Safonov into a few strong saves. Fans should be more than excited about what the future holds for him in Europe with the club.
Curtis Jones: N/A- Not much to report on for the Scouser after entering in the 75th minute, which seems to be a recurring theme this season.
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