By Sam Condy
Sometimes the figures just don’t add up! Just ask PSG manager, Luis Enrique after Liverpool mugged them in the Parc de Princes on Wednesday night.
The Reds goalkeeper, Alisson produced the best performance of his life between the sticks to deny the Blues in their own backyard.
Shot after shot rained in on his goal, but the Brazilian denied them with save after save using every part of his body.
Arne Slot’s side then produced a ‘Rope a dope’ moment that the great Muhammad Ali would have been proud of as ‘Supersub’ Harvey Elliot delivered a sucker punch with his first touch of the ball to secure a dramatic 1-0 win for Liverpool in their first leg tie against PSG.
This has to be one of the most one-sided Champions League matches in the history of the tournament as Liverpool somehow produced a backs-to-the-wall victory in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Alisson made nine saves – the most he has ever had to make in a match. Heading into the game, PSG were a team on fire, recording 41 goals in 11 matches, a rate of 3.73 per match and the highest amongst all teams in the last 16.
Ousmane Dembele had 20 goals in his last 14 appearances, PSG were unbeaten in 22 and looked to have the most deadly attack in all of European football.
The French side outclassed the Premier League leaders in almost every metric, with 27 attempts at goal, 10 on target and a whopping 71% possession.
Liverpool only managed to get two shots away, with only one on target. However, Harvey Elliot’s winning strike is the only metric that matters.
PSG head coach Luis Enrique was at a loss for words following the defeat, with his side recording 1.51 more xG than Slot’s, though still being unable to convert their abundance of chances.
“I don’t think it’s too difficult to analyse tonight’s game. We were far superior to Liverpool.
“We created more chances and produced a complete performance against one of Europe’s top sides. Football can be unfair at times.”
Arne Slot unsurprisingly felt underserving of the win in France, stating that his team were subject to some monumental luck on Wednesday.
“I think if we had a draw over here we would have already been lucky, that’s clear for everyone.
“I think they were the much better team today.”
The hero Alisson was ecstatic with his performance between the sticks, oozing confidence in his post-match interview.
Asked whether that was his best performance of the season, the Liverpool veteran replied with one better.
“Yeah, probably all my life, I think, so far.” He relayed.
Who needs to bother with statistics when you have the world’s best goalkeeper and a ‘Supersub’ to deliver a win with his only shot on target?
It’s all set up for another thrilling episode in the return leg at Anfield in one week.
