Liverpool Player Ratings: Isak’s Struggles Highlight PSG’s Dominance in Champions League Exit
Liverpool faced Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in a decisive UEFA Champions League quarter-final match at Anfield on April 14, 2026. The match ended with a 2-0 victory for PSG, resulting in a 4-0 aggregate score that saw Liverpool eliminated from the tournament. Ousmane Dembélé’s second-half brace proved pivotal, extinguishing any hope for the home side.
Managerial Decisions Under Scrutiny
In the closing stages of the match, Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, appeared visibly frustrated, standing with his hands in his pockets as the rain fell. His tactical choices and player selections have come under intense scrutiny, particularly given the team’s inability to match the creativity and skill of PSG, managed by Luis Enrique.
Slot’s decision to bench star player Mohamed Salah for such a crucial match raised eyebrows. Salah had hinted at multiple farewell stages from Liverpool, but few could have anticipated that being sidelined for a critical Champions League clash would be one of them.
A Frantic Match with Missed Opportunities
The match was characterized by a frenetic pace, with PSG displaying their trademark flair and speed. The tie could have been effectively settled in the first half, but Dembélé, who had struggled in the first leg, failed to capitalize on several opportunities.
For the initial thirty minutes, the Anfield crowd provided unwavering support, only falling silent when Hugo Ekitike suffered a concerning injury and had to be stretchered off the field. The incident brought Salah into the game, and his immediate impact was felt as he delivered a dangerous cross that nearly resulted in a goal for Virgil van Dijk, who was thwarted by a brilliant tackle from Marquinhos.
VAR Drama and Liverpool’s Last Chance
As the match progressed, Liverpool seemed to gain a lifeline when a foul by Willian Pacho on Alexis Mac Allister in the penalty area prompted a penalty decision. However, a VAR review led the referee to overturn his initial call, leaving Liverpool deflated.
Despite this setback, Slot introduced teenager Rio Ngumoha, who energized the crowd with a dynamic run and shot that was saved by PSG’s goalkeeper Matvei Safonov. However, any remaining hope was dashed when Dembélé scored a stunning goal, followed by another in stoppage time.
Player Ratings
Giorgi Mamardashvili
Unorthodox at times but made crucial early saves. Rating: 6
Jeremie Frimpong
Substituted at halftime after a disappointing performance. Rating: 4
Ibrahima Konate
Showed slight improvement from the previous leg but still struggled. Rating: 5
Virgil van Dijk
Commanded the defense well and was only denied by a superb tackle. Rating: 6
Milos Kerkez
Displayed great effort throughout the match, earning him the Man of the Match title. Rating: 8
Ryan Gravenberch
Grew into the game and contributed significantly in the second half. Rating: 7
Alexis Mac Allister
Struggled with the pace early on and received a predictable booking. Rating: 5
Dominik Szoboszlai
Provided a combative performance but lacked creativity. Rating: 6
Florian Wirtz
Showed flashes of skill but was not threatening enough. Rating: 6
Hugo Ekitike
Had a quiet game before suffering an unfortunate injury. Rating: 5
Alexander Isak
His first start since December proved to be a poor decision, as he was substituted at halftime. Rating: 4
Substitutes
Mohamed Salah (for Ekitike)
Made an immediate impact and demonstrated why he should have started. Rating: 7
Joe Gomez (for Frimpong)
Had a reasonable impact but was substituted shortly after. Rating: 5
Cody Gakpo (for Isak)
Created decent chances and was frustrated not to start. Rating: 7
Rio Ngumoha (for Gomez)
Energized the crowd with a notable run and shot. Rating: 7
Curtis Jones (for Mac Allister)
Struggled to make an impact in the limited time he had. Rating: 5
Liverpool’s exit from the Champions League marks a disappointing end to their season, leaving them without silverware. The team will need to regroup and reassess their strategies moving forward.
Source: www.mirror.co.uk
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Published on 2026-04-15 01:01:00 • By the Editorial Desk
