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Liverpool escape with late victory against PSG

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18th September, 2018
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18th September, 2018
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A Roberto Firmino goal in injury-time was needed to ensure that Liverpool escaped with a 3-2 victory in their opening Champion’s League match against Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite a dominant Liverpool performance, it appeared that PSG had salvaged a point, after Kylian Mbappe seized on a poor pass to equalise with under ten minutes to play.

The Reds had mostly, with the exception of Mohammed Salah, been excellent across the park and PSG could not have disappointed with a result that Liverpool justly deserved.

Anfield hummed with the kind of exuberant energy that have given European nights at the venue a mythical quality, and the home side started with an effervescence that has become typical under Jurgen Klopp.

Pressing all over the pitch, led by the imperious James Milner, Liverpool snapped into tackles and limited supply to PSG’s dangerous front-three. Yet, Liverpool was almost made-to-pay for the few opportunities they offered: Mbappe going close after a well-worked corner, and Neymar wrongly adjudged to be offside when clear through on goal.

After a dominant start, without any clear-cut chances, Liverpool required a goal that would settle the nerves, and it came in the form of Daniel Sturridge. A textbook cross from Andy Robertson, the like of which is becoming starting to become trademark, was met by a rising Sturridge who powerfully headed home.

Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal of the game during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday August 27, 2017. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

It was deserved after a dominant opening stanza, PSG having struggled to cope with their opponent’s energy and dominant midfield – the missing Marcos Verrati proving to be key.

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Soon that lead was doubled. A clumsy-tackle from Juan Bernat on Georgino Wijnaldum gave Milner a chance to extend his side’s lead, and a calmly taken penalty into the bottom-right corner beat an out-stretched Areola. The goal just-reward for Milner’s colossal first-half.

With half-time beckoning, and against the run-of-play, PSG struck back. A scrappy bit of play led to the ball falling to Thomas Meunier at the edge of the area, who lashed it home.

The second-half began with Liverpool again menacing, with perhaps a lack of sharpness than perhaps used to, and PSG struggling to assert themselves.

Despite fleeting moments of quality, Mbappe and Neymar were quiet throughout the night, ably handled by the burgeoning partnership of Virgil Van-Dijk and Joe Gomez.

Liverpool was dominant across the park: a belated foul call denied Salah Liverpool’s third, as Sturridge was rightly adjudged to have clattered into Areola. Moments later, a marauding Alexander-Arnold, who had been dangerous all night, provided a golden opportunity for Sturridge, whose weak-header fell to Areola.

Liverpool though was not to be denied, and a low, hard shot from Firmino deep into stoppage time confirmed a deserved victory.

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