Nunez and Jones miss in shoot-out as Reds crash out

Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones missed in the penalty shoot-out as Paris Saint-Germain ended Liverpool’s Champions League hopes at Anfield.

Having won 1-0 on the night to level the tie at 1-1, PSG held their nerve as they scored all four spot-kicks and Gianluigi Donnarumma did the rest with two superb saves.

It was an absorbing game that fluctuated both ways. Liverpool started superbly only to be caught on the counter by Ousmane Dembele’s 21st goal of 2025.

PSG ought to have been further ahead by half-time before Liverpool dominated the second period.

The pendulum swung again in extra-time with PSG coming close to edging through on three occasions.

As it was, they were pushed all the way to a penalty shoot-out in which they never trailed. Vitinha, Goncalo Ramos, Dembele and Desire Doue all netted, as did Mohamed Salah for Liverpool.

The Reds have little time to feel sorry for themselves as their next game comes on Sunday when they face Newcastle in the final of the EFL Cup.

Blistering start from Liverpool

Liverpool started in ominous mood, swarming all over PSG, denying the visitors any space on the ball.

It was a completely different game, and atmosphere, to the Parc des Princes last week as Luis Enrique’s men found themselves firmly on the back foot for the first time in the tie.

The Kop roared every tackle as Liverpool poured forward and created three presentable chances inside the first 10 minutes.

The best fell to Salah. Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister carved open the PSG defence and the Argentine squared it for Salah, who seemed to have the simple task of putting it in the net only for his shot to strike the leg of Nuno Mendes and fly over the bar.

Salah then shot narrowly wide and captain Virgil van Dijk’s goalbound header was blocked near the line by Mendes.

It seemed a matter of time before there was a goal and it duly arrived after 12 minutes – only at the other end.

PSG’s best chance on the night was always going to come via a counter attack and they used that tactic to clinical effect. Dembele led a swift break from just inside his own half before sliding in Bradley Barcola down the right. Barcola’s cross was pushed past Alisson by the outstretched leg of Ibrahima Konate and Dembele was on hand to tap home.

PSG TAKE THE LEAD AT ANFIELD! 🤯

A mess at the back allows Ousmane Dembélé to slip through and level the tie.#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/jVMpo3CP2V

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) March 11, 2025

Konate almost made amends immediately with a 25-yard shot that brought a smart, diving stop from Donnarumma before PSG nearly doubled their advantage.

This time it was Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who led the break before slipping in Barcola but his effort was smothered by the advancing Alisson.

All of a sudden it was PSG who were carrying the greater threat and they should have increased their lead on the night before half-time.

Dembele, uncharacteristically, fluffs his chance

Dembele took a heavy touch when clean through – enabling Alisson to come and smother – before the former Barcelona winger saw two efforts flash inches wide, both via deflections.

Arne Slot would have been relieved to get his players in without further damage and they started the second half in more assertive mood.

Szoboszlai saw an effort ruled out for offside against Diogo Jota – the play continuing long after the Portuguese was seemingly beyond the last man – and the Hungary midfielder also saw a snapshot superbly blocked by Willian Pancho.

Donnarumma had looked shaky all night and, after he flapped at another Mac Allister corner, he required Kvaratskhelia to hook Salah’s shot off the line.

The Italy international was beaten after 79 minutes but substitute Jarell Quansah’s header came back off the inside of the post, although the offside flag did go up shortly afterwards.

Kvaratskhelia curled one agonisingly over the bar with four minutes to go but defeat at that stage would have been harsh on a Liverpool side that dominated the second 45 minutes.

PSG go close to taking the lead in the tie! 😱

Who will find the winning moment? Watch LIVE on Prime in the UK & Ireland!#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/j319exSnht

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) March 11, 2025

Beraldo and Doue come within inches of restoring PSG’s lead

PSG came again in extra-time as the home side appeared to run out of gas.

And the Ligue 1 leaders could have scored three times over a largely one-sided 30 minutes.

Lucas Beraldo headed a corner narrowly wide before, a minute later, Doue’s quick feet enabled him to get a shot off that beat Alisson but not the upright.

Brazil international Alisson then distinguished himself again with a brilliant save to keep out Dembele’s shot but could do little in the shoot-out as PSG progressed to a meeting with Aston Villa or Club Brugge.