In the pre-match build-up, the BT Sport TV commentators last night discussed who they thought would win the match between Liverpool and PSG and one mentioned the idea that the PSG strikers are stronger ‘on paper’.
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Sure they are world-beaters; Cavani, Neymar, and Mbappe are easily three of the best attackers in the world right now. But the real questions is whether they gel as a team and are able to perform at the level of Liverpool’s strikers, who seem a lot more comfortable playing together.
Both teams have spent a lot of money on their squads but in Neymar and Mbappe, PSG has the two most expensive players in world football. Cavani was also bought for £55m back in 2013 and his value would no doubt be much more in current market value.
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PSG’s expensive strikers were outshone by hardworking Liverpool
The moment that really summed up the difference between Liverpool and PSG was when Liverpool’s free signing James Milner crunched into a tackle with Neymar to win possession back. After that, Neymar looked like he would rather be somewhere else for the majority of the match.
Neymar failed to really have an impact in the game, although Mbappe looked like he had salvaged an unlikely point for the French champions. Liverpool had gone two nil up through a Daniel Sturridge header and a James Milner penalty and you could not see PSG getting anything out of the game at that stage. Sturridge had come into the team in the place of Roberto Firmino who had picked up an eye injury in the last match and had not trained with the team before this game.
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Liverpool looked to have thrown a 2-0 lead away
PSG clawed one back with a well-hit volley from Meunier to put the pressure on the home team. Liverpool pressed forward and could have easily had another goal but for some poor finishing. Then disaster struck as Mo Salah misplaced a pass that set PSG off on the counter-attack, with Mbappe applying the finish in what was their first shot in the second half. Liverpool had dominated and certainly looked like the team that deserved to win but time was running out.
Firmino the hero scores in added time
Up steps Roberto Firmino, who had been brought on in the 72nd minute to replace Sturridge. In the 91st minute, the ball fell to Firmino on the edge of the box and he made no mistake, burying it into the corner of the net. In typical Firmino style, he went on to celebrate by covering his injured eye. Liverpool has their first three points of the Champions League and is part way through a tricky run of fixtures that see them play Chelsea twice, a difficult match against Man City and the Champions League games.
PSG will need to play much better than this if they are going to progress into the next stages and have a run at the Champions League trophy this season.