Kolkata: An evening that noticed a goalscoring document was adopted by one the place goalkeepers took the limelight within the Champions League spherical of 16. Alisson Becker and Wojciech Szczesny took the headlines in Liverpool and Barcelona’s escape to victory however Timon Wellenreuther’s penalty save for Feyenoord in opposition to Inter Milan and Anatoly Trubin’s triple save deserve point out even when they got here in a dropping trigger.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson (C) dives to punch the ball throughout their Champions League match in opposition to PSG. (AFP)
Liverpool and Barcelona gained the primary leg 1-0 by means of objectives from Harvey Elliott (87th) and Raphinha (61st) respectively, nevertheless it may so simply have been in any other case. “It was probably a bit more than we deserved,” mentioned Arne Slot, the Liverpool supervisor.
Their careers as soon as entwined at Roma, Alisson and Szczesny have gone alternative ways since. It was after Szczesny left Roma in 2016-17 that Alisson began to point out goalkeeping is certainly in his blood. Alisson’s father and grandfather have been shot-stoppers as was his brother who now performs in Brazil after knowledgeable profession in Europe.
Szczesny moved to Juventus the place he stayed for seven years earlier than saying his retirement. Alisson joined Liverpool when Juergen Klopp broke his promise of by no means splurging and spent £164m on new signings together with a then-record £67m on a goalkeeper. That it got here within the speedy aftermath of goalkeeping errors in a Champions League closing defeat could or could not have been a coincidence.
Underneath Klopp and now Slot, Liverpool have been so good that dialog about them are usually restricted to outfield gamers. “I have had some very good players as manager but never the best goalkeeper in the world until now,” mentioned Slot.
Wednesday’s heroics although did carry to the fore Alisson’s save in opposition to Napoli when he denied Arkadiusz Milik from shut vary. However that was a one-off in a December 2018 match Liverpool had dominated. At Parc des Princes, it was the other.
A uncommon weekend off as a result of they’re out of the FA Cup ought to have meant Liverpool, runaway Premier League leaders and who certified for the knockout rounds as the most effective in Europe, reaching Paris brimming with brio. As an alternative, they appeared second greatest in all areas of the pitch bar the aim.
Paris St-Germain (PSG) and midfield management are often not a part of the identical sentence. That’s as a result of their focus until just lately has been on signing star forwards, at no cost or in a world document price. However the occasions are altering and Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha and Joao Nevez bossed the central space out and in of possession. That meant common provide to Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, who was charged at by Ibrahima Konate within the twenty fifth minute however the Liverpool defender was allowed to remain on the pitch, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
It additionally meant a busy evening for Alisson, the busiest he has had since becoming a member of in 2018-19. His 9 saves on the evening are a Champions League document for Liverpool. It was additionally yet another than Szczesny. PSG had 27 photographs, 12 within the first half, two heading in the right direction. Liverpool had two photographs heading in the right direction all evening.
PSG have scored 21 objectives of their final 4 matches. Luis Enrique had spoken of Liverpool’s frontline “fighter jets” with out mentioning the firepower of his frontline. One go from Barcola to Dembele had Virgil van Dijk working within the incorrect route. All this meant extra work for Alisson.
Referred to as Kvaradona in an earlier life at Napoli, Kvaratskhelia did beat Alisson however VAR dominated it off-side. As he was when Neves shanked his shot from shut.
However when Kvaratskhelia tried from vary, Alisson compelled a corner-kick. Want Doue’s shot late within the match appeared destined for aim until Alisson in some way reached it. When PSG tried from shut, Kvaratskhelia as soon as and Dembele at one other time, Alisson made himself large. Within the 83rd minute, he went low and received a proper hand to disclaim Dembele. “It was probably the performance of my life,” mentioned Alisson.
Szczesny was known as into motion 18 seconds after kick-off by Kerem Akturkoglu. Quickly after, Turbin produced a triple save to disclaim Barcelona however after Pau Cubarsi’s twenty second minute purple card, visitors was largely in the direction of his aim. Benfica had 15 photographs. Szczesny produced a save off Orkun Kokcu and Fredrick Aursnes. Late within the match when Renato Sanches fired a cannonball, the Pole received his arms to it.
When the groups final met it had produced a 5-4 scoreline in favour of Barcelona however Szczesny was accountable for two objectives and for clattering right into a teammate. He ought to have been in retirement, it was then mentioned of the 34-year-old. “Szczesny saves us many times today, he is outstanding,” Barcelona’s playmaker Pedri informed Movistar Plus.