04/08/26 04:23:00
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04/08 16:21 CDT Kvaratskhelia scores again as PSG beats Liverpool 2-0 in
Champions League quarterfinal 1st leg
Kvaratskhelia scores again as PSG beats Liverpool 2-0 in Champions League
quarterfinal 1st leg
By JEROME PUGMIRE
AP Sports Writer
PARIS (AP) --- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added another solo goal to his collection
as Paris Saint-Germain beat Liverpool 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions
League quarterfinal on Wednesday.
The Georgia star cut in from the left flank midway through the second half and,
with typically quick feet, skipped past a defender and the goalkeeper before
stroking in his team-leading eighth goal of the competition.
"We had chances to score more," Kvaratskhelia said. "But I think it's OK, 2-0
is good but we have to stay concentrated."
Dsir Dou put the defending champions ahead in the 11th minute with a
deflected effort. Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembl spurned three chances at
Parc des Princes.
When the two teams met last season in the round of 16, PSG advanced on
penalties after losing 1-0 at home and winning 1-0 at Anfield.
The task seems less difficult this time around for PSG with Liverpool facing a
trophyless season. However, six-time champion Liverpool overcame a 3-0
first-leg loss against Barcelona in the 2019 semifinals before winning 4-0 at
home.
The second leg is next Tuesday at Anfield.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot's team was reeling from a crushing 4-0 FA Cup
defeat to Manchester City but was better led in defense this time by captain
Virgil van Dijk.
With Allison still injured, Giorgi Mamardashvili --- Kvaratskhelia's teammate
on the Georgia national team --- continued in goal for Liverpool.
Dembl showed great technique under pressure on the edge of the penalty area
before flicking the ball left to Dou, whose deflected shot looped over
Mamardashvili and under the crossbar.
Mamardashvili atoned with a fine close-range save late in the first half from
Dou, again set up by Dembl.
Another flowing PSG move moments later ended with Dembl fluffing his shot
from inside the area. A worse finish followed, and Dembl held his head in his
hands after blazing over from close range in the 53rd following a cut back by
Nuno Mendes.
Dembl hit the post late on.
In Wednesday's other quarterfinal game, Atletico Madrid won 2-0 at Barcelona.
Salah stays on bench
Slot made five substitutions but kept Mohamed Salah on the bench the whole game.
The Egypt star has yet to find his best form in his last season at the club,
with only 10 goals in 35 games so far. He missed a penalty in the FA Cup loss
to City last weekend.
Hugo Ekitik lead the attack against his old club with Jeremie Frimpong taking
Salah's customary position on the right wing. Ekitik shot wide early in the
second half and held play up well.
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak --- the British-record signing for 125 million
pounds ($170 million) --- came on in the 78th on his comeback from a broken
ankle.
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