The Good, The Bad & The Ugly – 2024/25 Gameweek #29
Beating Paris Saint Germain 1-0 in Paris. The Parisian outfit were intent on taking the game to their illustrious visitors and launched attack after attack.
The Good
Beating Paris Saint Germain 1-0 in Paris. The Parisian outfit were intent on taking the game to their illustrious visitors and launched attack after attack.
Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson Becker was in inspired form, pulling off at least five absolutely world class saves to deny the hosts.
The Reds were restricted to bit-part players as they struggled in vain to retain possession of the ball.
With five minutes of normal time remaining, Arne Slot gambled on substituting Mo Salah for Harvey Elliott, a decision that would soon pay off in spectacular style.
A long ball forward from Alisson was won by Darwin Nuñéz who saw the run of his team mate from Liverpool‘s right wing. A perfect lay-off, when it mattered most from the Uruguayan – who has come in for a lot of criticism recently, into the path of the young Englishman.
A sweet first-time left-footed shot placed with enough power to brush past the outstretched hand of the PSG keeper sent the visitors into raptures.
Liverpool are now in the driver’s seat in this tie in the most unlikely of manners after a gritty performance in the Parc des Princes. Many would regard the win as fortunate. Personally, I’d prefer to call it deserved.
Despite PSG‘s dominance, they failed to put the ball in the net – apart from one effort that was ruled out for offside. Wasteful finishing, to match the brilliance of Alisson was the deciding factor here.
The (Not) Bad
The (Not) Bad this week is Liverpool coming back from a goal-to-nil down to secure all three points with a solid second half performance, against Southampton at Anfield on Saturday.
Arne Slot serving the last of his two-game touchline ban watched from the stands as Liverpool put in a very tired looking first half performance.
A host of changes at halftime – many of which I’m sure slot would have wanted to avoid given the upcoming game on Tuesday, were able to provide Liverpool with the solidity and extra quality needed to overturn the lead of the Saints who currently occupy the bottom place in the table.
Darwin Nuñéz turned in a close range tap-in after good work from Luis Diaz on the Liverpool left. The Uruguayan’s joy was clear to see following recent criticism.
Nuñéz was bundled over moments later in the Southampton penalty box with Mo Salah converting the resulting penalty. The game was put beyond doubt after a blatant handball from Japan international Yukinari Sugawara, allowed Mo Salah to convert to Second penalty of the afternoon.
The Ugly
The report in the Mail where they claim PSG what surprised how “shocked“ by how POOR Liverpool were” on Wednesday.
Quoting L‘Equipe, the Parisians felt Arsenal and Bayern Munich gave them better matches in the group stage of this season’s competition.
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