Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones had spot-kicks saved as Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in the last 16.
Liverpool were fortunate to take a 1-0 lead into Tuesday night’s Champions League last 16 second leg against PSG as they were completely dominated before substitute Harvey Elliott netted an unlikely winner against the run of play last week.
However, Liverpool’s advantage was quickly snatched away at Anfield as the 2025 top scorer in Europe, Ousmane Dembele, netted an opener inside the opening 15 minutes after Arne Slot‘s side failed to capitalise on their fast start.
The remainder of the second leg was extremely tense as the two European giants exchanged huge chances but could not be separated, drawing 1-1 on aggregate after extra time.
PSG were arguably the better sides over the two legs in proving they are the real deal and they beat Liverpool 4-1 on penalties.
Luis Enrique’s side were faultless with their spot-kicks as Vitinha, Goncalo Ramos, Dembele and Desire Doue netted, while Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones had efforts saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma after Mo Salah scored Liverpool’s first spot kick.
Now, Liverpool can only do the double this season as they are top of the Premier League and in the Carabao Cup final. As for PSG, a quarter-final tie against Aston Villa or Club Brugge awaits.
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer was on co-commentary for the match. Speaking post-match, he said: “You’ve seen four perfect penalties under extreme pressure, you’ve got to give PSG big credit.
“The disappointment of losing that first game and playing really, really well and coming back to Anfield and soaking up pressure and then hitting them on the break.
“Taking it to extra time and penalties and seeing those four perfect penalties, they’ve really put in a magnificent effort over the two games and they’ll say they deserve to go through.”
Ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock added: “The scenes and celebrations tell you everything. Luis Enrique stormed across to Gianluigi Donnarumma to celebrate in font of his fans.
“They’ve been exceptional tonight. A game of the highest order. PSG were outstanding – they held their nerves in the penalties.
“Gianluigi Donnarumma’s got that unpredictability about him. He seems he has an error in him, but it was a strong performance from him.”
On Nunez’s penalty, he said: “You had that feeling as Darwin Nunez walked up to the ball. A sense of anxiety from the Liverpool fans.”