Super-Sub Elliott Strikes Late as Liverpool Edge PSG in Champions League
Harvey Elliott the Goal Hero
2025-03-06
Harvey Elliott made an instant impact off the bench, scoring with his first touch to hand Liverpool a dramatic 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash on Wednesday.
Elliott, who had just replaced Mohamed Salah, capitalized on a Darwin Núñez assist in the 87th minute at the Parc des Princes, giving the Premier League leaders a crucial advantage ahead of next week’s return leg at Anfield.
Liverpool Hold Firm Amid PSG Dominance
Arne Slot’s side weathered a relentless PSG onslaught before delivering the ultimate sucker punch. The hosts had 28 shots on goal compared to Liverpool’s two, with Alisson Becker producing a string of crucial saves to keep the French side at bay.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia thought he had given PSG the lead in the first half, only for his goal to be ruled out for a marginal offside. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Luis Enrique’s men were left frustrated as Liverpool defended resolutely.
Salah, usually Liverpool’s talisman, endured a quiet night as his side struggled to find attacking rhythm. But just when it seemed the visitors would settle for a goalless draw, Elliott's late strike stunned the Parisian crowd and put Liverpool in pole position for the quarter-finals.
PSG’s Attacking Prowess Goes Unrewarded
Coming into the game on a 10-match winning streak and having scored 21 goals in their last five Champions League outings, PSG were expected to pose a major threat. They controlled 65% of possession and pinned Liverpool deep in their own half for long periods.
Kvaratskhelia, chosen ahead of teenage sensation Désiré Doué, linked up well with Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé in a fluid front three. The Georgian international was at the heart of PSG’s best moments, forcing Alisson into a key save from a free-kick in the second half.
Barcola and João Neves both came close, while Doué was denied by a spectacular Alisson stop 10 minutes from time. Achraf Hakimi also saw an effort narrowly clear the crossbar.
Elliott's Late Winner Stuns PSG
As the match seemed destined for a draw, Alisson launched a long kick forward, where Núñez won the aerial battle and set up Elliott. The 20-year-old midfielder made no mistake, drilling a precise shot beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma into the far corner to silence the home crowd.
With the second leg at Anfield looming, Liverpool now have the upper hand, but PSG showed enough attacking firepower to suggest they will be a major threat in England. Should Liverpool advance, they will face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the quarter-finals.
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