Roberto Firmino struck in the second minute of added time to stun Paris Saint-Germain as Liverpool won 3-2 in a thrilling UEFA Champions League encounter at Anfield on Tuesday.
UEFA Champions League Group C, matchday one
Liverpool 3 – 2 Paris Saint-Germain
THE MATCH
It was a remarkable first European match in charge of the Ligue 1 Conforama champions for Thomas Tuchel, whose side fell 2-0 down before fighting back to draw level late on.
But then Firmino popped up with the winner in the 92nd minute, collecting a Virgil van Dijk pass and taking his time before firing a low shot into the far corner. The goal came from Kylian Mbappé being caught in possession, and Anfield erupted in celebration at a winning start to their Champions League campaign for last season’s runners-up.
Before that, Liverpool had been rewarded for a strong start to this heavyweight Group C clash as Andy Robertson’s brilliant cross was headed home by Daniel Sturridge, starting ahead of Firmino, for the opener on the half-hour mark.
Mbappé fired over soon after, but things got worse for the visitors when Liverpool were awarded a penalty for a Juan Bernat foul on Georginio Wijnaldum. James Milner then fired home from the spot, despite Alphonse Aréola diving the right way (36′).
Meunier pulls one back
PSG needed a response and they got one before the break, as Ángel di María’s cross came off Robertson’s leg and Thomas Meunier duly swept the ball home to reduce the deficit (40′).
Liverpool then had the ball in the net a third time through Mohamed Salah just before the hour, but the goal was disallowed for a foul by Sturridge on Aréola.
Neither Mbappé nor Neymar Jr had played well, but the two most expensive players in the world combined for the equaliser eight minutes from the end. Neymar’s pass took a fortunate break off Van Dijk to fall for Mbappé, who took a touch before stroking his shot past Alisson in front of the Kop.
But Liverpool were not ready to accept the draw, and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deflected free-kick came off the frame of the goal before Firmino won it at the death. PSG must now try to put this behind them when they host Red Star Belgrade next in a fortnight. The Serbians drew 0-0 with Napoli on Tuesday.
THE PLAYER: Roberto Firmino
The Brazil forward had been a pre-game doubt and he did not start here, with Sturridge coming in and scoring. Firmino eventually came on for Sturridge in the 72nd minute and stole the show with the last-gasp winner.
THE STAT: 11
Mbappé has now scored 11 Champions League goals since making his European debut in 2016-17. Only four players have scored more in that time, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
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