With PSG having won their last four two-legged ties against English opposition, including an emphatic 8-2 aggregate win over Chelsea in the last round, Arne Slot’s side had every right to be apprehensive when arriving in the French capital.
Ultimately, any such nerves were justified when Désiré Doué broke the deadlock with just 11 minutes on the clock.
Ousmane Dembélé weaved his way through the Liverpool defence before teeing up his teammate and French compatriot, whose shot took a hefty deflection and looped over Giorgi Mamardashvili.
One might have expected the floodgates to open from the point, but Liverpool remained largely resolute in their defensive shape.
However, Mamardashvili was called into action to make two vital saves, denying Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Doué to keep the deficit at one heading into HT.
Slot’s side created a rare opening themselves after the restart when Hugo Ekitiké blazed his attempt over the bar, before Dembélé squandered a golden opportunity to double PSG’s lead after failing to find the target from a Nuno Mendes cut-back.
A second goal did eventually came in the 65th minute, though, courtesy of Kvaratskhelia.
The Georgian was superbly picked out by João Neves, and effortlessly glided his way into the box before dispatching his close-range strike past Mamardashvili.
It looked like Liverpool could go three down after referee José María Sánchez pointed to the spot, penalising Ibrahima Konaté for bringing down Warren Zaïre-Emery. Fortunately for the Reds defender, a VAR intervention resulted in the decision being overturned.
Luis Enrique’s side threatened to make the scoreline more convincing in the closing stages, with Dembélé rattling the outside of the post, but PSG had to settle for two goals on the night.
While Slot’s side will return to Merseyside disappointed, they remain in with a chance of snatching a semi-final berth in next week’s second leg at Anfield.
However, a fifth defeat in their last six away games makes for damning reading, in a season which continues to underwhelm.
In contrast, this win for PSG keeps their defence of the trophy on track after securing a fifth consecutive win across all competitions.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain)
