Ousmane Dembélé Offers Liverpool a Second Chance Against PSG
PARIS — Ousmane Dembélé has a history of reigniting Liverpool’s hopes, especially after moments when their chances seemed all but diminished in the UEFA Champions League. The Paris Saint-Germain forward might find himself in a pivotal role once again.
In the 2019 semi-final first leg at Camp Nou, Barcelona appeared to be comfortably leading Liverpool 3-0 in the closing minutes when Dembélé squandered a golden opportunity, shooting over the bar to make it 4-0. Lionel Messi, standing beside him, expressed his frustration over the missed chance that could have sealed the match.
That game turned out to be a turning point. Liverpool staged one of the most unforgettable comebacks in Champions League history, defeating Barcelona 4-0 in the return leg at Anfield, ultimately winning their sixth European Cup by outmaneuvering Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid.
Fast forward seven years, and Dembélé found himself in a familiar scenario, missing multiple clear chances to thwart Liverpool’s aspirations in the quarter-final first leg at Parc des Princes. Despite dominating the pitch, Paris could only manage a 2-0 lead, leaving Arne Slott’s side a glimmer of hope heading into the return match.
As Slott and PSG manager Luis Enrique prepare for the high-stakes return fixture at Anfield next Tuesday, a critical difference between now and 2019 must be acknowledged. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool had overcome massive odds against Barcelona, but Dembélé’s latest slip opened the door for Slott’s Liverpool, revealing a striking gap between the teams that has emerged over time.
While Klopp’s side once faced Barcelona with an unwavering ambition to win, Slott’s Liverpool entered the match against PSG with a more measured goal: to keep the scoreline manageable for the second leg. Ultimately, they achieved that goal—but only just. Had Dembélé capitalized on his chances, the prospects for Anfield would have been drastically different.
Slott may argue that the approach to play with wing-backs like Milos Kerkes and Jeremy Frimpong—shifting from a traditional back four to a three-man defense—justified his strategy. However, with Mohamed Salah absent from the starting lineup and missing from the substitutes, the intended solidity seemed elusive. The new formation was meant to allow more freedom for Florian Wirths, but the reality on the pitch told a different story.
PSG completely outclassed Liverpool, effectively stifling their chances and suffocating their rhythm. The numbers tell a stark tale: Liverpool mustered just 26% possession, with PSG completing a staggering 744 passes compared to Liverpool’s mere 253. With 18 attempts on goal, PSG overwhelmed Liverpool, who struggled to register even a single shot on target, let alone test the goalkeeper.
It became apparent early on that Liverpool faced an uphill battle when PSG’s Desiree Douet netted the opening goal in the 11th minute. PSG’s failure to increase their lead allowed Liverpool to cling to the match, despite several missed opportunities by Dembélé and Douet.
Things spiraled further when Juvica Kvaratscheria scored in the 65th minute, doubling PSG’s advantage. Liverpool managed a reprieve when a penalty decision was overturned due to VAR intervention, sparking a brief moment of hope. Nevertheless, Dembélé squandered two more clear opportunities, leaving Liverpool to breathe a sigh of relief in the aftermath of a 2-0 defeat, which felt more like a temporary escape than a solid performance.
Currently experiencing a three-game losing streak, Liverpool is undeniably in a state of transition. The remnants of Klopp’s illustrious tenure have begun to fade, especially echoing the moments of triumph witnessed on the pitch in Paris.
As they prepare for the crucial second leg at Anfield, the specter of uncertainty looms large for Klopp’s side. Yet, Dembélé can rest easy, knowing that this Liverpool has become a shadow of the formidable team it once was.
