Bobby Firmino was Liverpool’s hero after scoring the winning goal in the 91st minute. Living up to the billing as the marquee match of Match Day 1, this game was another classic European night at Anfield as Liverpool took all three points late in the game. After goals from Sturridge and Milner, PSG pulled one back via Meunier as Liverpool led 2-1 at Half Time. Mbappe scored to make it 2-2 in the 83rd minute and it looked like the game was going to end in a draw until Bobby Firmino decided to take matters into his own hands and scored an absolute beauty of a goal after coming on after 72 minutes for his 150 game for Liverpool to win the game.
Liverpool Starting XI:Â Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson; Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Mane, Sturridge
PSG Starting XI:Â Areola; Meunier, Silva, Kimpembe, Bernat; Rabiot, Marquinhos, Di Maria; Mbappe, Neymar, Cavani
Bench: Cibois, Kehrer, Nkunku, Draxler, Diarra, N’Soki, Choupo-Moting
Liverpool star Roberto Firmino was on the bench for the crucial game as he suffered an eye injury from a clash with Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen in a 2-1 win against Tottenham at Wembley. Daniel Sturridge replaced Firmino after impressive performances off the bench in the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp’s other change meant Naby Keita was benched as Henderson, Milner, and Wijnaldum started in the midfield. Liverpool came into the game having won all 5 Premier League games.
PSG too have an unbeaten record in Ligue 1 after winning all 5 opening games and are currently 5 points clear at the top. PSG made three changes to the starting XI that began Friday’s 4-0 win against St Etienne. Marco Verratti, Lassana Diarra and Julian Draxler dropped out with Marquinhos, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar came in.
Daniel Sturridge was at his very best
Liverpool started the game in Klopp’s “heavy metal” style of football putting pressure on the PSG back four throughout the first half. PSG conceded 6 corners on the opening 15 mins of the game as Liverpool were relentless going forward.
With Firmino – Liverpool’s offensive maestro – benched, the onus was on Sturridge to step up and perform. This was his first start for Liverpool in the Champions League. He was Liverpool’s leading goal scorer in the pre-season games and did not disappoint the Liverpool fans as he scored a pin-point header from a Robertson’s cross to score only his 7th goal in the Champions League.
Frantic First Half Of Attacking Football
With the finest attacking players in world football on display, the first half was full of exciting offensive football with both teams going at it with explosive pace. Liverpool dominated the first 20 mins but PSG slowly settled in with Neymar having some good moments in the attacking third. Liverpool finally broke the deadlock at the half-hour mark as Sturridge scored a header to take the lead.
Kylian Mbappe – the best young player in world football – had a chance to make it 1-1 but couldn’t find the target. Wijnaldum earned a penalty in the 36th minute of the game after being tripped by Bernat and Liverpool’s penalty specialist – James Milner – stepped up to drive the ball past Areola into the bottom right corner to make it 2-0. Liverpool looked in total control but PSG pulled one back in the 40th minute through Meunier, who clinically clipped the ball home in the far corner.
Salah Played Way Below His Best
Mohammed Salah, who scored 44 goals last season, seemed rusty in the encounter and was far from his best.
Salah barely made an impact throughout the game before being subbed out in the 85th minute. To make matters worse, he made a crucial mistake which led to Mbappe scoring the 4th goal of the match to make it 2-2 in the 83rd minute. Instead of playing the ball ahead, Salah played a square ball but Neymar pounced onto the lazy ball to set up Mbappe.
However, Salah’s dramatic night didn’t end there. After Firmino scored the winning goal, Anfield erupted with joy but not Mo Salah. He was seen tossing a bottle and looked absolutely gutted. Not the reaction the Kopites were expecting.