Liverpool have lost 2-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Parc des Princes.
A deflected effort from Desire Doue opened the scoring in the 11th minute before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled the advantage in the 65th minute with a superb solo strike.
While not helped by rotten luck, Liverpool made the worst possible start, and they would have been further behind at the break had it not been for some smart Giorgi Mamardashvili stops.
Ousmane Dembele then wasted a glorious chance not long after the start of the second half but PSG got the second goal their dominance deserved when Kvaratskhelia left his markers for dead before showing composure in the box.
And it could have got worse for the Reds soon after when the hosts were awarded a penalty. However, it was correctly overturned after Ibrahima Konate clearly won the ball in the box.
Arne Slot responded by bringing on fiver substitutes, but leaving Mohamed Salah on the bench, but the under-fire Liverpool head coach was again grateful for Mamardashvili, who denied Achraf Hakimi, and then the post, which denied Dembele.
Liverpool fans can enter the bet365 UEFA Champions League Giveaway to win match tickets to UCL games up to and including the final in Budapest!
18+ | UK only | gambleaware.org - View Full Terms and Conditions Here
Thank you very much for joining us on tonight's match blog.
It's been another bad night for the Reds and if they are going to stand any chance of overturning the 2-0 deficit, they are going to have to pull something really special out of the bag at Anfield on Tuesday.
But first up is a crucial Premier League clash at home to Fulham on Saturday.
We'll be back for that.
Until then, take care.
Read Paul Gorst's big-match verdict in full HERE.
The Liverpool captain spoke to TNT Sports:
There’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity. And Arne Slot chose the evening of arguably the biggest game of his Liverpool tenure to straddle such a divide.
If a feature of his debut campaign was the continued ability to make the right calls no matter what the scenario, this season has seen the Reds boss possess the polar opposite to that Midas touch.
So to throw his team into the proverbial fire at the Parc des Princes with a formation that hasn’t before been seen in his tenure was a significant and unexpected gamble.
Speaking on TNT Sports, the Liverpool head coach said: "I think we should be lucky with only losing 2-0 because they had more chances, although the first goal felt hard. But afterwards they had more chances to score more. It's very good for us that we're still in the tie and we can bring them to Anfield, and we know how crucial Anfield can be for us."
The Liverpool legend was left unused on the bench this evening, which has drew the attention of journalist Henry Winter, who has said on X: "Mo Salah not the force he was, he’s leaving Liverpool but… trailing 2-0 and not bringing on an attacker who’s still Footballer of the Year and instead bringing on an 18-year-old midfielder in Nyoni seems strange. And why Gakpo not Ngumoha?"
Speaking to the BBC, the former Liverpool defender said: "It feels like there is a huge gulf between the two teams. Liverpool changed their system to go with three at the back and they were set up to try to stop PSG but even sitting in like this, they were nowhere near it - they have been pulled apart at the back.
"It's only 2-0 but the scoreline is the only positive for Liverpool to take into the second leg, and that was because PSG weren't clinical enough - it could have been much worse for Liverpool."
Giorgi Mamardashvili 7
Couldn’t do much about deflected opener and made good saves from Kvaratskhelia and Doue first half. Quieter second half but outfoxed by Kvaratskhelia for second.
Positioning not always on point in new-look rearguard and one miscommunication with Gomez but stuck to task. One strong forward run and rightly had penalty award overturned after good tackle.
At the centre of the back three, pushed out when required and a threat at attacking set-pieces. Required to do a lot of organising.
Operated in a strange free role for a bit before settling and a danger with his long throws. Booking a joke, however.
Offered Liverpool an outlet on the right although final ball wasn’t quite there before break. Less of an impact going forward second half. Subbed.
Read Ian Doyle's player ratings in full HERE.
Still in the tie, but the Reds will have it all to do in the second leg at Anfield next week.
PSG claim for a spot-kick, and it appears they have reason to, but VAR says no.
Trey Nyoni is the fifth and final Liverpool change. We're into the first of three added minutes.
After Ousmane Dembele hits the post, Nuno Mendes makes an absolute mess of a glorious opportunity.
More let-offs for Liverpool.
The Liverpool goalkeeper this time denying Achraf Hakimi
Isak, Gakpo, Robertson and Jones on.
Wirtz, Ekitike, Kerkez and Szoboszlai all off.
Salah remains sat on the bench.
For PSG, Lee Kang-in has replaced Doue.
No penalty, Konate's yellow is wiped clean. A reprieve for Liverpool.
PSG penalty. Konate booked as he takes Zaire-Emery from behind.
That's a dagger blow to Liverpool's hopes as Kvaratskhelia peels off the midfield before taking a pass from Neves and rounding Mamardashvili. PSG 2-0 Liverpool.
Before that penalty appeal, Alexis Mac Allister was clearly fouled on the edge of the PSG box by Willian Pacho but incredibly the referee waves play on.
Mac Allister shouts for handball as his shot is blocked. Referee waves play on. It hit an elbow, arms were down. Liverpool have been better this second half though.
Dembele with a huge chance, skies it on his left foot after Mac Allister's header gave it straight to PSG. A big let-off for Liverpool that.
Ends with Hugo Ekitike curling well over.
Five minutes played in this second half. Liverpool will be fairly satisfied with how it's gone so far.
Underway once more and Liverpool have a goal kick, Vitinha got the attempt to pen the visitors in wrong.
Couldn’t do much about deflected opener and made good saves from Kvaratskhelia and Doue first half.
Positioning not always on point in new-look rearguard and one miscommunication with Gomez.
At the centre of the back three, pushed out when required and a danger at set-pieces.
Offered Liverpool an outlet on the right although final ball wasn’t quite there before break.
Attempted to move Liverpool forward with some strong runs and unlucky to deflect in opener.
Alexis Mac Allister 6
Covered lot of ground before break and put in some timely interceptions and blocks. Booked.
Playing left wing-back, mixed bag first half with some dogged defending undermined by cheaply giving away possession.
Plenty of work but unable to overly influence opening period and seemed a little lost in his role.
Saw good possession in patches but needed slightly more care with some passes.
No faulting effort but guilty far too often of unnecessary fancy flicks and giving the ball away cheaply.
The hosts by far the better side and they look like they are enjoying playing through the Reds.
Liverpool look so easy for PSG to play through here. They have done OK in possession but the hosts are dominating proceedings here.
Liverpool cut to ribbons as PSG go from goalkeeper to striker in about five passes, ends with Dembele firing weakly at Mamardashvili.
Frimpong smashes one across the face of goal from Wirtz's clever flicked pass but the offside flag goes up. That part of the pitch looks like Liverpool's best route to goal though.
Big save Mamardashvili from Doue. Konate all over the shop as he tried to change who he was running towards mid-move.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tests his Georgia international team-mate.
