PLAYER RATINGS | Liverpool 0-2 PSG [agg. 0-4]: Ousmane Dembélé double decides quarter-final

Anfield, 14 April 2025 – Paris Saint-Germain marched into a third straight UEFA Champions League semi-final as Ousmane Dembélé’s second-half double sealed a 2-0 win on the night and a 4-0 aggregate triumph over Liverpool.

The tie was technically alive at kick-off, but the French champions quickly set about erasing any doubt. Désiré Doué bullied Milos Kerkez on the right and forced an early chance, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia warmed Mamardashvili’s gloves from distance. Dembélé thought he had broken through on 20 minutes, only for the Georgian goalkeeper to arch backwards and paw away his close-range volley.

Liverpool’s best moments arrived either side of the interval. Kerkez finally escaped Achraf Hakimi to whip in a teasing cross, and the introduction of Cody Gakpo at the break injected pace into every transition. Gakpo’s 25-metre rocket demanded a full-stretch stop from Matvey Safonov, and moments later the Kop erupted when Willian Pacho felled Alexis Mac Allister inside the box—until a VAR review reversed the penalty decision.

The hosts were still protesting when PSG landed the knockout blow. On 67 minutes Bradley Barcola, on for the injured Doué, surged clear and slipped the ball to Kvaratskhelia, who in turn teed up Dembélé. The Ballon d’Or winner arrowed a low shot beyond Mamardashvili from 20 metres. Eight minutes later Barcola again led the counter, squaring for Dembélé to side-foot his second and extinguish the last embers of resistance.

Player Ratings

Liverpool Mamardashvili 6 – Spectacular early denial of Dembélé but otherwise well protected. Kerkez 6 – Bright going forward; troubled Hakimi repeatedly before fading. Van Dijk 6 – Should have scored on the half-hour; marshalled the back line with authority. Mac Allister 5 – Industrious, but the overturned penalty summed up his night. Gakpo 7 – Immediate impact; forced Safonov into the save of the match.

PSG Safonov 8 – Commanded his area and produced back-to-back clean sheets after a shaky domestic display against Toulouse. Marquinhos 8 – A campaign-defining block on Van Dijk preserved parity when the tie might have ignited. Nuno Mendes n/a – Departed injured inside 35 minutes after a difficult duel with Salah. Doué 4 – Won his share of duels yet failed to deliver a final product; left on a stretcher early in the second half. Dembele 8 – Missed a tricky early volley, then rifled a match-winning brace to book a semi-final berth. Kvaratskhelia 7 – Persistent threat on the break; provided the key assist for the opener.

The victory keeps Luis Enrique’s side on course for a first European crown since 2020, while Arne Slot’s Liverpool exit with only regrets and a reminder of the ruthless edge that separates contenders from champions.