Paris vs Liverpool: Kvaratskhelia goal ruled out as Konate escapes red card after VAR check

Liverpool had an offside decision against Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a brilliant display of goalkeeping by Alisson and a Video Assistant Referee review in Ibrahima Konate’s favour to thanks as the Reds hung on to reach the break level in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 against Paris St-Germain.

New PSG signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia curled in a classy opener from inside the box after 20 minutes, only to have the finish ruled out.

The £59 million January signing and forward Ousmane Dembele, who has six goals and one assist in this season’s competition, were persistent threats as Paris piled on the pressure during the first half.

ALISSON WHAT A SAVE 🧤

The Liverpool keeper makes an incredible save from Dembélé, then another incredible block to deny Barcola, who then fires over the bar when he should score with the 3rd attempt – how are PSG not ahead?! 🤯

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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025

Paris vs Liverpool: Alisson saves

Alisson made an exceptional save to deny Dembele in a one-on-one and Konate was deemed not to have been guilty of bringing Bradley Barcola down when the France attacker would have been clean through inside the penalty area.

Brazil international Alisson then kept out a Kvaratskhelia strike with a one-handed stop as the Reds ended the half without an attempt on goal.

“I do not know where Virgil van Dijk went there,” former Scotland forward Ally McCoist told TNT Sports after the Liverpool captain left Barcola free for a close-range shot the 22-year-old sent over the bar following some scintillating footwork by Dembele.

“Where did he go? I can’t believe it. That is a big chance for Bradley Barcola. PSG should be 1-0 up there.”

VAR says no ❌

Liverpool’s hearts are in their mouth for a moment as VAR checks Konaté’s challenge on Barcola, but the referee waves play on 👀

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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025

Champions League: Reds resolute

Arne Slot’s side are 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League and won the league phase of the Champions League by two points.

They only failed to win for the first time in Europe this season with an immaterial 3-2 defeat at PSV in their final group phase game.

PSG required a knockout phase play-off to reach the round of 16, beating fellow French club Brest 10-0 on aggregate.

Liverpool are next in action at home to the bottom side in the Premier League, Southampton, on Saturday (3pm GMT), while Paris’ Ligue 1 game at Rennes starts an hour later.

The return match takes place at Anfield on Tuesday (8pm GMT), with the winners facing Club Brugge or Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. The Villans established a 3-1 lead in their away first leg of that tie on Tuesday.