LIVERPOOL: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Euro shootout hero against England in 2021, repeated the trick on English soil with two magnificent penalty saves as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Liverpool 4-1 on penalties after winning 1-0 in extra time for a 1-1 aggregate.

PSG will probably face English opposition in the quarter-final with Aston Villa favourites to wrap up their Round of 16 tie against Club Brugge.

For Liverpool, defeat over an intense 120 minutes was the worst possible preparation for Sunday’s League Cup Final against Newcastle at Wembley. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahim Konate, both having to be substituted through injury, will be doubtful.

PSG, needing to claw back a 1-0 deficit from the first leg at home, seized the initiative with a 12th-minute goal by Ousmane Dembele. In the shootout Donnarumma saved decisively from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones before Desire Doue thumped home the winner.

Liverpool made a fast start in an attempt to extend their first-leg advantage. Mohamed Salah twice went close before Bradley Barcola’s cross confused Alisson and Konate proved costly so Dembele could pounce from almost on the goal-line.

PSG had other opportunities but could not cash in, Alisson rushing out to save at the feet of Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia firing off target when well placed.

Liverpool mounted sustained pressure after the break but struggled to break down PSG’s resilient rearguard, although it took a fine clawing save from Donnarumma to keep out Luis Diaz’s header, while substitute Jarell Quansah struck the post and Dominik Szoboszlai had an effort ruled out for offside.

PSG were by far the better side in extra time with Alisson making a magnificent save from Dembele before the shootout denouement.

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