Liverpool 0–1 (1–4) PSG Player Ratings: Gianluigi Donnarumma’s Heroic Display Helps Luis Enrique’s Side Eliminate Premier League Leaders

Paris Saint-Germain produced an inspired display to turn over a 1-0 deficit from the first leg and defeat Liverpool 1-0 (4-1 on penalties) at Anfield on March 11, 2025. Ousmane Dembele’s 12th-minute goal was the only one scored in normal time, before Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a stellar display in the penalty shootout to win the tie for the Ligue 1 side.

The match started off in blistering fashion with both teams testing each other out with some razor-sharp back-and-forth action. Mo Salah had a few big chances to open the scoring in the early minutes. He got at the end of Alexis Mac Allister’s cross in the 4th minute but saw his goalbound shot blocked by Nuno Mendes.

The Egyptian winger darted his way into the PSG box with a menacing run two minutes later, but his shot brazed past the goal. The Reds were, however, made to rue these early misses. In the 12th minute, Bradley Barcola’s uninspiring cross was misjudged by Ibrahima Konate, who gifted a goal to Dembele with a mistimed clearance attempt. The Frenchman tried to make up for his error and had a powerful shot saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma a minute later.

Barcola wasted a big chance in the 17th minute after being played through on goal but failing to get a shot past Alisson. Diogo Jota witnessed a close header go over a minute later. Dembele had a chance to go through on goal in the 32nd minute, but his poor control stopped a potential chance. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia came close to doubling his side’s lead with a top-corner curler attempt being blocked in the 35th minute.

Dembele then had a shot attempt go wide four minutes before halftime, with the Reds clearly ratted heading into the break. Liverpool’s performance was amped up a level with the influence of a loud Anfield crowd in the second half. PSG were seemingly happy to defend deep to allow them all the possession.

The Reds seemingly scored an equalizer in the 53rd minute with Dominik Szboszlai scoring into an empty net, but Luis Diaz was found to be offside in the build-up. Diaz set up a chance for the midfielder four minutes later, but his effort was blocked by William Pacho. Salah had a goal-scoring chance blocked by Kvaratskhelia in the 61st minute.

Jarell Quansah managed to get at the end of a few chances after coming on, heading wide in the 75th minute nad forcing a save from Donnarumma nine minutes later. Kvaratskhelia had a huge chance to win the tie for PSG in the 87th minute, but his effort went over the bar. Despite Liverpool throwing in the kitchen sink, the game was forced to extra-time.

PSG nearly scored early into extra time, with substitute Lucas Beraldo and Desire Doue’s attempts going wide in the first four minutes. Dembele had a sharp shot saved superbly in the 108th minute, while Doue went wide with his shot minutes later. Salah had a penalty call in the 114th minute, which was ignored. Alisson made another nice save to deny substitute Kang-in Lee minutes later, forcing a penalty shootout.

Donnarumma proved his quality in the shootout, superbly saving Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones’ efforts to help his side progress to the Champions League quarter-finals and ending Liverpool’s hopes of a European Treble. Here are Liverpool vs PSG Player Ratings.

Liverpool Player Ratings

GK – Alisson – 7/10

Alisson played a vital role in saving the blushes of his defenders multiple times. He popped up with a number of vital saves in the first half, denying Barcola and Dembele from close range. He was sharp in moving out of his goal to limit PSG’s counter-attacking threat. Denied Dembele a second goal with a brilliant save in extra time. Very uninspiring in the penalty shootout.

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5.5/10

The Englishman had a nightmare dealing with PSG’s quick counter-attacks, often being found out of positioning and unable to match their pace. Improved a bit in the second half, creating a few chances, but was a vulnerable figure defensively.

CB – Ibrahima Konate – 6/10

Konate made a horrible error in judgement leading to Dembele’s goal, poorly trying to take the ball away while Alisson had it covered. Improved defensively after that, winning a lot of duels and showcasing energy.

CB – Virgil van Dijk – 7/10

Van Dijk didn’t show any nervousness against PSG’s fast breaks as his smart positioning and authoritative nature helped him excel. He made a few vital tackles and and challenges to ruin a number of their attacks. Maintained impressive energy for 120 minutes to make timely challenges regularly.

LB – Andy Robertson – 5/10

Robertson was also vulnerable in dealing with PSG’s attacks, struggling to stop Barcola in the first half, especially when he set up the goal. He created a few nice chances but didn’t seem convincing defensively, making some frustrating errors.

CM – Ryan Gravenberch – 5/10

Gravenberch had a surprisingly poor night in which he was ousted by the PSG midfielders. He lost a lot of key duels, being dispossessed multiple times and not being able to help drive his side forward with his runs.

CM – Alexis Mac Allister – 7.5/10

Mac Allister was arguably Liverpool’s biggest creative threat, getting into all the right areas to cause PSG problems. He set up a number of key chances, especially for Salah’s big chance early on and then for Diaz too. Taken off before extra time because of a booking.

AM – Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.5/10

The Hungarian midfielder was a menacing figure in the PSG half, often robbing them off possession and causing trouble with his pressing. Came close to scoring at times but was denied by a lack of fortune and some solid defending. Had a second-half goal chalked off by VAR.

RW – Mohamed Salah – 5/10

Salah had a more proactive game than he did in Paris, but was still frustrated by tight marking. Saw an early goalbound attempt blocked. Created a few decent chances after that, but lacked that ruthlessness.

LW – Luis Diaz – 6.5/10

Diaz had a quiet first half, but really got into the game after the break. He saw a few of his promising goalbound attempts denied with some brilliant work from PSG, but the winger struggled creatively in not being able to nail that final pass.

CF – Diogo Jota – 4.5/10

Jota had a header attempt go over the bar in the first half. Apart from that, he was mostly trying to link up and failed to provide much of a threat that is expected from a no.9.

SUB – Darwin Nunez – 4.5/10

Nunez added more energy to the Liverpool attack, but couldn’t really be much of an upgrade in terms of finishing over Jota. Capped off a bad performance with a bad penalty.

SUB – Jarell Quansah – 6.5/10

Quansah got at the end of some promising chances after coming on, but saw his efforts either go wide or denied. Defended strongly in extra time.

SUB – Curtis Jones – 4.5/10

Jones helped add more energy to his side’s midfield, but couldn’t really make a difference in terms of goals. MIssed his penalty.

SUB – Harvey Elliott – N/R

Failed to replicate his heroics from the first leg.

SUB – Wataru Endo – N/R

Manager – Arne Slot – 4/10

Slot claimed that his side were lucky in the first leg, but fortune didn’t favor them this time. He struggled to get them at their optimal best in the counter-attacks or be proficient enough defending the early counter-attacks. His substitutes didn’t work either and the lack of a proper plan B seemed to hurt his side.

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PSG Player Ratings

GK – Gianluigi Donnarumma – 9/10

Donnarumma was sharp in his goal, making a few excellent reflex saves to frustrate the hosts. Showcased amazing reaction time to deny a Luis Diaz header before the hour mark. On top of his heroics display in normal time, where he made many superb save, he capped off a memorable display with a few superb saves in the penalty shootout to win his side the tie.

RB – Achraf Hakimi – 7/10

The Moroccan full-back had a solid first half, neutralizing Diaz’s threat and not allowing him much room. Started losing concentration in the second half, allowing the winger a bit more room but was mostly solid with his key challenges. Maintained an energetic presence for most of the game.

CB – Marquinhos – 7/10

Marquinhos held together a sturdy backline and read most of the Liverpool attacking moves impressively. He came up with a flurry of important clearances to keep his side from coming under more pressure.

CB – William Pacho – 8/10

Pacho worked hard and was smart with his movement to cover up for his teammates. He made a number of key clearances and won duels to frustrate Jota. Popped up with a vital block to deny Diaz before the hour mark.

LB – Nuno Mendes – 9/10

Mendes continued being a bit of a kryptonite for Salah, frustrating the in-form winger with his stubborn defensive work. He came up with multiple vital tackles, winning the majority of duels to neutralize Salah’s threat. Won 10 duels and made eight clearances in a highly impressive outing.

CM – Vitinha –8/10

Vitinha worked his socks off in covering a lot of ground inside his own half, helping protect his side from Liverpool’s barrage of attacks. He recovered possession many times and was often in the right positions to cut out the Reds’ attacks, ruining their flow through central areas. Took his penalty excellently.

CM – Joao Neves – 7.5/10

Neves was an energetic figure in midfield, doing an admirable job against more experienced players. Hassled the Liverpool players with his pressing, winning many duels. Worked his socks off for 120 minutes.

CM – Fabian Ruiz – 5/10

Ruiz failed to provide that creative spark or drive for his side, not being able to come up with anything inspiring from his midfield role.

RW – Bradley Barcola – 5.5/10

Barcola played a role in Dembele’s early opener, but had an off night apart from that. Scuffed a big chance after being played through on goal in the first half and struggled to create anything after that.

LW – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 7/10

Kvaratskhelia was a menacing threat with his clever movement and dribbles, while also being explosive on the counter-attack. Set up some really nice moves with his final product and came close to scoring in the second half. Worked hard with his defensive contributions too.

CF – Ousmane Dembele – 7.5/10

Dembele proved that he can be a dangerous threat even when playing centrally. He caused a nightmare for the defenders with his blistering runs in counter-attacks and moved smartly to the flanks to maintain unpredictability. Took his chance well and created some great chances.

SUB – Desire Doue – 7/10

Doue added a bit more energy to the frontline, having one shot go just wide of the post early in extra time. Had another saved later on. Scored a great penalty to win it for his side.

SUB – Lucas Beraldo – 6/10

Almost scored early in extra time, with his header barely going wide.

SUB – Warren Zaire-Emery – 6/10

Added a bit more defensive stability to his side after coming on.

SUB – Kang-In Lee – 5.5/10

Posed little scoring threat, only having one shot saved in extra time.

SUB – Goncalo Ramos – 6/10

Manager – Luis Enrique – 9/10

Enrique did an admirable job in perfectly shaping up his side to frustrate Liverpool at Anfield. He ensured they were sturdy and highly proactive defensively all game long, neutralizing Liverpool’s attacking patterns expertly. Had them be a menacing threat on the counter-attack and definitely nullified Arne Slot’s tactics expertly, outplaying the Reds at their own yard.

Sportsdunia’s Man of the Match for this game is Gianluigi Donnarumma.

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