SOCCER: PSG's wastefulness keeps Liverpool's hopes alive in Champions League

PARIS – Paris St Germain were left lamenting missed opportunities despite claiming a convincing 2-0 win at home in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool on Wednesday. The result leaves Liverpool in contention, with their manager admitting that his side had been in survival mode for significant stretches of the match.

PSG secured the win with goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but they had chances to put the game beyond doubt. Ousmane Dembele and Nuno Mendes both missed golden opportunities in the second half that could have virtually sealed the tie for the French champions.

“We had clear chances to score more goals. We kept Liverpool alive, but we’re happy with the performance. We want to stick to the same approach – it’s what we’ve been doing for a long time,” PSG fullback Achraf Hakimi said after the match.

Midfielder Warren Zaire Emery, who, alongside Joao Neves and Vitinha, dominated the midfield battle, also shared his disappointment at the missed chances.

“We could have scored more goals, which is a shame. 2-0 is already good, but nothing is done. We’ll go there with the same intentions, looking to win the match,” Emery stated. “We’ll need to stay focused and do what we did here. We always try to prepare games the same way, playing as high up the pitch as possible. We had plenty of chances and should have put them away.”

Coach Luis Enrique also echoed similar thoughts, emphasizing the quality of PSG’s performance.

“It’s a shame, clearly. We put in a performance worthy of our supporters. We played very well and deserved more goals. But this is the Champions League. We’re happy, and there’s still the second leg to come,” said Enrique.

Liverpool’s Cautious Approach

Liverpool approached the match with a defensive strategy, setting up with three centre-backs in a five-man defense. This allowed them to stay afloat, but their luck may run out in the return leg when PSG will look to capitalize on counter-attacks.

Captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the uphill battle facing his side, but expressed confidence that the Anfield crowd would play a key role in the second leg.

“We shouldn’t forget that we play against the European champions of last season, and you see the quality they have, you see the games they’ve played already this season, even in the league, but also in the Champions League, and how good they can be — doesn’t really matter away or home,” van Dijk said. “We have to be absolutely spot-on with everything we do. Hopefully, our fans can play a big part in that as well. I’ve been to many special evenings at Anfield, and I’m very lucky and privileged, and our fans, that’s the backbone of the club, and hopefully they can be there for us as well.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot remained hopeful despite the challenge ahead. He reflected on Liverpool’s proud history and the belief that their supporters could lift the team in their time of need.

“The second half of the game for us was more about surviving,” Slot said, admitting that pressing high had exposed his team to PSG’s attacking prowess. He also justified the decision to keep Mohamed Salah on the bench, suggesting that the Egyptian winger would have been too limited in a more defensive role.

"When we pressed them high we were ripped apart and it gave them five or six chances. The second half of the game for us was more about surviving," Slot explained.

With the second leg to come, Liverpool will need a massive effort at Anfield if they are to overcome the 2-0 deficit. The tie is far from over, and PSG’s missed chances could prove costly if they are punished in the return fixture.

-Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne/Reuters