Kvaratskhelia and Doue fire Paris Saint-Germain into command of Champions League tie against Liverpool | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Liverpool 2-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

Desire Doue put PSG in front in the 11th minute, cutting inside and spinning past Ryan Gravenberch before firing past Giorgi Mamardashvili.

The Liverpool goalkeeper denied compatriot Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the 33rd minute, parrying his effort away.

Mamardashvili made another brilliant stop, denying Doue in a one-on-one situation. Kvaratskhelia then hit the side netting as PSG continued to dominate possession.

Ousmane Dembele should have netted the hosts’ second before half-time after being slipped through by Doue, but he fired the ball straight at Mamardashvili.

Liverpool’s first sight of goal came just after the restart, with Hugo Ekitike curling his effort wide.

Dembele should have scored in the 54th minute when he received a cutback from Nuno Mendes, but blazed the ball over the bar.

Kvaratskhelia doubled PSG’s advantage in the 64th minute, running behind the Liverpool rear guard and rounding Mamardashvili before slotting home.

The defending champions were awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute when Ibrahima Konate fouled Warren Zaire-Emery. However, the decision was reversed after a VAR check.

Mamardashvili had to be alert to keep out Achraf Hakimi’s effort to the near post.

Dembele was denied a third by the woodwork before Hakimi missed a big chance late on, giving Liverpool a glimmer of hope ahead of next Tuesday’s second leg at Anfield.