With football royalty David Beckham watching on in the stands, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson put on a show that was fit for a king.
‘I think that is the best performance of my life,’ said the Reds No 1. That is a bold call given some of the defiant displays he has put in over recent years to cement himself in the conversation for best keeper of the Premier League era.
But this was definitely the sort of heroics that will go down in folklore if Liverpool go on to win their seventh European Cup in Munich this season.
Without him, Arne Slot’s men would have been dead and buried by half-time.
Overall, the home side had 27 shots to Liverpool’s two. Alisson made 10 saves but, beyond the statistics, also took command of his penalty area like a drill sergeant and exuded an aura of calm in a backline that, despite all its defiance, looked shaky.
The English champions-elect were strangled by Paris Saint-Germain and needed to ride their luck on occasion, notably the marginal offside decision that saw Kvicha Kvaratskhelia have an early goal chalked off and Ibrahima Konate getting a reprieve from the VAR.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson put in a top-drawer performance to help Liverpool beat PSG
The French giants were unable to find a way past Alisson despite their 27 shots on the night
Football royalty such as David Beckham (pictured) were in attendance at the Parc des Princes
Paris-born Konate shoved Bradley Barcola when he was through on goal and would have had no complaints if the referee gave a foul and sent the Frenchman for an early bath. Instead, though, he stayed on and played a big role in Liverpool’s rearguard effort.
Slot has been in the news recently for allegedly telling a referee he will ‘f***ing blame you’ if Liverpool don’t go on to win the Premier League.
In the Champions League, however, the Reds boss may end up thanking the officials if they now win the competition.
Tongue in cheek with that comment, of course, as a team of this standard does not need to rely on luck. But no joking when we make the statement that Alisson’s display was the best individual performance of Liverpool’s season.
Luis Enrique had Slot’s men in a chokehold but, to their credit, they refused to tap out or throw in the towel.
The Reds boss said on Tuesday that his men had to ‘suffer’ to get a positive result in the French capital and boy did they do that in the first half.
This season has been all about Liverpool’s attacking brilliance — rarely a game goes by when Mohamed Salah does not break a record. But this match was about their mental resilience, patience and defensive steel. To be champions of Europe, all three attributes are necessary.
You also need a world-class goalkeeper and there are not many walking the planet better than Alisson. He bailed out his team time and time again here. If Salah scored a hat-trick, the Brazilian keeper would still have been man of the match. He was that good.
Without Alisson, Arne Slot’s men would have been dead and buried by half-time
The PSG stars were left stunned that they were not able to put the ball past the Brazilian
It has not always been easy for Alisson over the last 18 months. He struggled in the Europa League last season and injuries have been too common.
Saudi Arabian clubs had shown an interest, but he felt he had more to offer at the top level. Before last night, he had not hit his peak this season, but is still considered by many to be the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, or even the world.
And so in Paris Fashion Week, there was no doubting that PSG were the smartest outfit in town but, though Liverpool’s display may not have been the most fashionable, it was certainly efficient and got the job done, largely thanks to their keeper.
