Arne Slot described the second leg of Liverpool’s Champions League last-16 as “the best game of football I’ve ever been involved in”, but Reds fans likely won’t take much solace in the high entertainment value after the Anfield outfit lost 4-1 to PSG on penalties to exit the tournament.
The result has put a bit of a dampener on Liverpool’s season as they are now out of the FA Cup and the Champions League. They look almost certain to take the Premier League, with some bookmakers already having paid out, but the fact they are taking the league at a saunter means reduced entertainment for fans.
Champions League Odds
After dismissing Liverpool in the last 16, PSG has been installed as favourites to win the tournament. Punters can get odds of 10/3 on the French outfit from most online bookies, including those on Cardlist’s shortlist for March 2025 of the best non-Gamstop bookmakers.
According to betting expert Liliana Costache, taking advantage of new player bonuses may also help achieve even better odds and greater winnings. For value hunters, PSG’s installation as favorites has led to the odds of perennial winners Real Madrid going out to 7/2 and eagle-eyed punters will be able to find roughly similar odds for Barcelona.
The Premier League
The Premier League still has two representatives in the competition, with Arsenal being given odds of 7/1 to take the tournament win, and Aston Villa a long shot at 28/1.
So dominant has Liverpool’s performance been in the Premier League that they were listed as favorites for this year’s Champions League. Despite being 1/50 to take the title, Liverpool could not prevent PSG from eliminating them from the competition.
The First Leg
In truth, PSG was the dominant force in the first leg of the tie. Liverpool registered just two shots on target in that match but still walked away 1-0 winners in what has been described as a smash and grab.
However, as most pundits will point out, it is a sign of champions when you can still get the result even when you’re not playing at your best. Goalkeeper Alisson was, without doubt, the man of the match in the first leg and was the only reason Liverpool managed to walk away with a slender win.
The Second Leg
The second leg was more evenly matched, which made for an exceptional spectacle. Some might argue that the roles were reversed during this fixture. Liverpool kept knocking at the door but their usually prolific goalscorers went missing.
Ousmane Dembele netted for PSG in the 12th minute, and PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma enjoyed his moment in the spotlight, preventing Liverpool from registering any goals on multiple occasions.
Donnarumma continued his goalkeeping exploits in the penalty shootout, saving from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones. In losing, Liverpool saw records fall. This was the first time they had lost on 40 occasions when they had been ahead after the first leg, and it was their first-ever Champions League penalty shootout loss.
PSG’s Teamwork
In truth, the two teams were closely matched over the two legs, with just the penalty shootout separating them. It was less a case of Liverpool and Slot losing, and more PSG coming of age.
In previous years, PSG have used their considerable financial backing to create the most expensive teams and squads in the game, but they have rarely come together as a team. Recently, however, and without Kylian Mbappe in the squad they have dispensed with the big spending and have managed to create a cohesive unit that is capable of beating the best teams in Europe. Their teamwork was what won them the tie against Liverpool, and is what makes them a very different team this season.