Liverpool don suffer early blow for Paris as dem crash to PSG for Champions League quarter-final first leg. The match wey start with plenty noise for Parc des Princes see PSG take lead inside 11 minutes. Doue wey dey play for PSG shoot ball from outside box, e deflect off Gravenberch leg and fly over Mamardashvili head go inside net. That early goal shake Liverpool well well.
PSG fans don already show dem power before match even start. Dem bring out banner with Incredible Hulk picture and write say “Tonight wake up the Hulk inside yourself.” The atmosphere hot like fire as Champions League anthem dey play. Light shows and tifos everywhere for stadium.
Liverpool coach Arne Slot talk say im selection for match na because im team dey change positions constantly. “I thought: let’s make a line-up where people might argue what our plan is,” Slot tell TNT Sports. Im even leave Mo Salah for bench, something wey hard for am to do. “It’s always difficult to leave players out who work very hard and deserve to start,” Slot add.
After that early goal, PSG begin control game. Dem dey pass ball well well, especially from back. Safonov wey dey keep goal for PSG even slice one pass out for throw-in at one point. Liverpool pressing no too bad, but PSG still dey find way pass dem first line of defence. Even with extra defender, Liverpool dey risk say dem go overrun.
Joe Gomez become first player wey referee book after im slide into Doue wey score the goal. Liverpool try to fight back with long balls into PSG box, but Safonov dey there to punch dem away. One time, Szoboszlai whip in wonderful cross but PSG goalkeeper stretch im hand well well to save am.
Oliver Kay wey dey report match from stadium talk say Liverpool defence soft for that goal. “I can’t believe how passive Wirtz was when defending against Doue – so half-hearted, no desire or intent to block,” Kay write. Konate wey jump out to win ball before the goal suppose get am right. The goal come with plenty luck, but PSG no mind at all.
George Ramsay wey dey write live updates talk say Liverpool defence scatter scatter. “Konate was rolled far too easily by Doue and PSG’s attacking rotations are dragging defenders all over the place,” Ramsay note. Im say if Liverpool fold like dem do for Etihad on Saturday, this match go become embarrassment.
PSG begin slow down small small after dem get the lead. Dem dey take time with their attack, passing ball across pitch patiently. Play even pause briefly when Nuno Mendes go down injured. The home side look comfortable with their 1-0 lead as first half dey go on.
Liverpool formation na back three with Kerkez and Frimpong sometimes drop deeper to form back five. But PSG Hakimi dey show how im like to run forward well well. Nuno Mendes play lovely ball to im feet early for match, show say Moroccan defender na strong attacking option for PSG.
Before match start, dem pay tribute to late Romanian head coach Mircea Lucescu. The atmosphere for Parc des Princes promise say e go be brilliant night of Champions League football. Now Liverpool get massive test of character. Dem need to dig deep if dem wan stay for competition.
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