Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) advanced to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after a tense and dramatic penalty shootout victory over Liverpool at Anfield on March 11, 2025. The French champions secured their place with a 4-1 win in the shootout after the match ended 1-0, leveling the aggregate score at 1-1.
The game’s decisive moment came in the 12th minute when Ousmane Dembélé capitalized on a defensive error to fire PSG ahead on the night. His goal wiped out Liverpool’s first-leg advantage and set up a tense battle for control. Liverpool responded with urgency, with Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez testing Gianluigi Donnarumma, but the PSG goalkeeper stood firm. At the other end, Alisson Becker was equally heroic, keeping out efforts from Vitinha to keep Liverpool’s hopes alive.
Injuries Add to Liverpool’s Woes
As the match wore on, Liverpool’s night took a turn for the worse with key injuries disrupting their rhythm. Trent Alexander-Arnold, one of the Reds’ most creative outlets, limped off in the second half after suffering a right ankle injury. Jarell Quansah replaced him, but the young defender struggled to match Alexander-Arnold’s attacking influence.
Later in extra time, Ibrahima Konaté collapsed on the pitch, prompting immediate medical attention. The center-back was forced off, with Wataru Endo coming on as his replacement. These setbacks limited Liverpool’s tactical flexibility and forced them to play cautiously, as PSG continued to push for a winner.
Penalty Shootout Heartbreak for Liverpool
With the match deadlocked at 1-1 on aggregate after extra time, the tie was decided by penalties. PSG executed their spot-kicks flawlessly, with Kylian Mbappé, Dembélé, Vitinha, and Warren Zaïre-Emery all converting their attempts.
For Liverpool, the shootout quickly turned disastrous. Darwin Núñez, one of the club’s most expensive signings, saw his penalty saved by Donnarumma. Moments later, substitute Curtis Jones suffered the same fate, his shot palmed away by the Italian shot-stopper. Meanwhile, Salah and Alexis Mac Allister converted their kicks, but it wasn’t enough as PSG secured a commanding 4-1 shootout victory.
Liverpool’s Champions League Future in Doubt?
As the PSG players erupted in celebration, Liverpool’s squad looked devastated, with Mohamed Salah visibly in tears as he applauded the Anfield faithful. The defeat raised serious questions about the future of the team in the competition. With Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold all approaching pivotal contract decisions, the loss could mark the end of an era for Liverpool’s core squad.
The defeat also marked a major setback for Arne Slot, who had led Liverpool to an impressive season domestically. With a crucial Carabao Cup Final against Newcastle looming on Sunday, Slot now faces the challenge of rallying his weary squad in time for another high-stakes showdown.
PSG’s European Ambitions Strengthened
For PSG, the victory felt like a defining moment in their European journey. After years of heartbreak in the Champions League, Luis Enrique’s side showed resilience, composure, and defensive solidity to eliminate one of England’s best teams.
PSG now joins FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, where they are likely to face Aston Villa. With Kylian Mbappé in top form and Donnarumma proving his worth in big moments, PSG appears to be entering a new era of European dominance.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will have to pick up the pieces and refocus, but the painful memories of this night at Anfield will not fade easily.
