{"url":"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/","title":"PSG 2-0 Liverpool: Doué shines but Slot's switch falters","domain":"nytimes.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/30726639/pexels-photo-30726639.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"PSG Liverpool soccer match","category":"Sports","language":"en","slug":"14685497","id":"14685497-bcad-4ca6-a12b-4ba7a359e5c3","description":"PSG beat Liverpool 2-0 in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Parc des Princes.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- PSG beat Liverpool 2-0 in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Parc des Princes.\n- Goals came from Desire Doue in the 11th minute and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia midway through the second half.\n- Liverpool's back-three switch limited damage but left them facing a tough second leg at Anfield.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/)[[2]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing)\n\n## The story at a glance\nParis Saint-Germain defeated Liverpool 2-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, with goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Liverpool manager Arne Slot started with a back three and kept Mohamed Salah on the bench, but PSG dominated possession and chances. The match is reported now as the immediate post-game briefing from *The Athletic*, ahead of the return leg at Anfield on April 14.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/)\n\n## Key points\n- Desire Doue scored in the 11th minute after Ousmane Dembele's run and pass; the shot deflected off Ryan Gravenberch and looped over Giorgi Mamardashvili.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/)\n- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added the second midway through the second half, staying on his feet under Gravenberch's challenge before slotting past Mamardashvili from a Joao Neves pass.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/)\n- Liverpool used a back five to protect a leaky defence, pressing well early but tiring; they had no shots on target in the first half and struggled to create chances.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/)\n- PSG wasted chances, including Dembele hitting the post and a overturned penalty on Warren Zaire-Emery; Mamardashvili made three strong saves.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/)\n- Salah stayed on the bench throughout as Liverpool chased the game; Doue and Kvaratskhelia stood out for PSG's wing play.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/)\n- Slot's post-match comments were pending at time of writing.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/)\n\n## Details and context\nLiverpool switched to a back three with wing-backs to stifle PSG's build-up, showing compactness that could suit Premier League games, but PSG's rotations exposed space behind Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The side defended the box better than in recent weeks yet lapsed in concentration for the second goal, with Gravenberch beaten twice.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/)\n\nPSG, the defending champions, controlled the game against an out-of-form Liverpool coming off a 4-0 FA Cup loss to Manchester City. Doue tormented the defence with dribbling, while Kvaratskhelia combined threat with calm finishing; both thrived with support from Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/)\n\nFor the second leg, Liverpool need high pressing from kick-off, crowd support, quick transitions, and discipline to overturn the deficit; it will take a superhuman effort.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/)\n\n## Why it matters\nPSG hold a strong advantage in defending their Champions League title, while Liverpool risk an early exit in their last shot at silverware this season. Fans and Slot face mounting pressure after recent poor form, with no trophies now in sight if they fail to advance. Watch the April 14 second leg at Anfield, where Liverpool's home strength could make it close but overturning 2-0 remains a big ask.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/)","hashtags":["#champions","#league","#psg","#liverpool","#soccer","#arne"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7173955/2026/04/08/paris-saint-germain-2-liverpool-0-briefing/","title":"Original article"}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-08T23:26:47.343Z","createdAt":"2026-04-08T23:26:47.343Z","articlePublishedAt":"2026-04-08T20:59:29.000Z"}