Liverpool Suffers 2-0 Defeat to PSG in Champions League Semifinal First Leg

Match Result and Key Events Liverpool fell 2-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal on April 30, 2025, at Parc des Princes in Paris.

Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored for PSG, giving the French club a lead heading into the return leg at Anfield on May 7, 2025. The match marked Liverpool's first Champions League defeat under manager Arne Slot this season. PSG dominated possession and created multiple scoring opportunities, particularly in the second half.

Liverpool adopted a defensive formation with five players at the back, a tactical shift not used earlier in the season. The hosts missed several open chances, which Slot noted kept the tie competitive.

Slot's Decision on Salah Mohamed Salah remained an unused substitute throughout the 90 minutes, the first time since Liverpool's December 2024 match against Leeds United.

Slot introduced five other substitutes from the 78th minute: Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson, and Trey Nyoni. This was the second time in four recent matches that Salah started on the bench. Slot explained the decision by emphasizing the game's shift to survival mode in the final 20-25 minutes.

“And Mo has so much quality, but for Mo to be 20-25 minutes defending inside his own box, I think it's better for him to save his energy for a lot of games that are coming up in the upcoming weeks.”

Salah leads Liverpool's scoring in this season's Champions League with an unspecified number of goals.

Post-Match Assessments Slot maintained that Liverpool's progression hopes remain alive despite the deficit.

He referenced the team's strong home performances, including a potential 2-0 lead within 30 minutes against opponents in prior rounds, and their comeback against Galatasaray in the quarterfinals. Slot highlighted the influence of Anfield's atmosphere and the unpredictability of European football, such as red cards or penalties.

" — Arne Slot, April 30, 2025 (GB News) PSG manager Luis Enrique expressed disappointment at not winning by a larger margin. He praised his team's performance as worthy of their fans and noted Liverpool's tactical adaptations. Enrique acknowledged the challenge of the return leg at Anfield but affirmed PSG's intent to compete for victory.

Enrique described the match as one where PSG deserved more goals based on clear chances in the second half. He viewed Liverpool's defensive setup as a surprise but a normal adaptation by opponents. The result positions PSG favorably, though the tie is not decided.