{"id":604278,"date":"2026-04-14T21:48:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T21:48:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/604278\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T21:48:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T21:48:23","slug":"liverpools-champions-league-hopes-ended-by-paris-st-germain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/604278\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool\u2019s Champions League hopes ended by Paris St Germain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liverpool failed to produce a famous Anfield comeback as Ousmane Dembele\u2019s double saw holders Paris St Germain progress past Arne Slot\u2019s spirited side and reach the Champions League semi-finals.<\/p>\n

The six-time European champions were knocked out by Luis Enrique\u2019s outstanding side for the second straight season having failed to recreate the kind of jaw-dropping turnaround seen against Barcelona in 2019.<\/p>\n

Liverpool were frustrated by well-drilled PSG and had a penalty decision overturned before Dembele took the wind out of their sails and then added late gloss, with their 2-0 win in the rain wrapping up a deserved 4-0 quarter-final triumph.<\/p>\n

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\"LiverpoolArne Slot\u2019s side saw their trophy hopes ended despite an improved performance (Peter Byrne\/PA)<\/p>\n

The Reds put in a far better performance than they had in the first leg at the Parc des Princes last Wednesday, when Slot acknowledged they were fortunate to escape only two down having been outclassed and forced into \u201csurvival mode\u201d.<\/p>\n

Liverpool showed the kind of fight that captain Virgil van Dijk questioned after the FA Cup exit to Manchester City, but the Parisians would prevail against English opposition in a fifth successive two-legged tie.<\/p>\n

Anfield applauded their players\u2019 efforts at the end of an evening that began with silence as the victims of the Hillsborough disaster were remembered on the eve of the 37th anniversary.<\/p>\n

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The ground would rock when play got under way as Liverpool attempted to unsettle PSG, who were denied by an early Ibrahima Konate block and a Giorgi Mamardashvili save from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia\u2019s stinger.<\/p>\n

Anfield observes a period of silence in memory of 97 supporters who lost their lives in the Hillsborough tragedy ahead of the 37th anniversary on Wednesday \u2764\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/cNwCoLl9IY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Alexander Isak, making his first start since December, saw a header easily saved before a backtracking Mamardashvili kept out Dembele who then wasted another chance.<\/p>\n

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Slot also started Hugo Ekitike in attack but he would leave on a stretcher around the half-hour mark following an awkward fall, with Mohamed Salah introduced for what proved his final Champions League appearance for the Reds.<\/p>\n

It may not have been that way had Liverpool not been denied in extraordinary fashion moments after play had resumed.<\/p>\n

Matvei Safonov made a superb stop before Marquinhos\u2019 last-gasp challenge denied Van Dijk. Little wonder the PSG captain roared in the Merseyside rain.<\/p>\n

\"ParisParis St Germain\u2019s Marquinhos, centre, slides in to prevent a Liverpool goal (Peter Byrne\/PA)<\/p>\n

PSG tried to put the game to bed before half-time, with Liverpool turning to Cody Gakpo at the break in place of Isak.<\/p>\n

The substitute quickly hit a skipping 20-yard shot that Safonov tipped behind, with fellow half-time introduction Joe Gomez headed over from the resulting corner.<\/p>\n

Desire Doue followed Nuno Mendes in limping off as PSG dealt with injuries of their own and battened down the hatches as Liverpool launched a barrage of attacks.<\/p>\n

Ryan Gravenberch slammed narrowly off target and Kerkez hit a first-time strike just across the face of goal as Slot\u2019s side attacked the Kop, which cheered after Maurizio Mariani pointed to the spot the 64th minute.<\/p>\n

The referee adjudged Willian Pacho to have fouled Alexis Mac Allister but changed his mind after being sent to the monitor.<\/p>\n

Liverpool\u2019s frustration was palpable, but they kept pushing as Mac Allister headed wide and teenage substitute Rio Ngumoha\u2019s snapshot forced a fantastic save.<\/p>\n

But hopes of an incredible comeback were extinguished in the 72nd minute. Dembele smartly cut away from Mac Allister on the edge of the box and sent a low curling left-footed effort beyond Mamardashvili to end the contest.<\/p>\n

Gravenberch and Kerkez had further attempts before Dembele added gloss in stoppage time after being set up by substitute Bradley Barcola, as the crowd defiantly sang \u201cYou\u2019ll Never Walk Alone\u201d despite Liverpool\u2019s last chance of silverware ending.<\/p>\n