Liverpool/PSG – Too much for the Reds… Dembélé’s first goal analysed | OneFootball

With the idea of bringing our readers richer content, we came up with the idea of launching a section featuring an analysis of the key actions in a match, whether for goals scored or conceded, great moves, near-misses that almost proved costly, and more. The aim is to determine the share of collective or individual success, or error, in each action. Here is the new edition. Here, we are looking at a sequence from the 0-2 win (0-4 on aggregate, Liverpool/PSG highlights) against Liverpool this Tuesday at Anfield in the second leg of the 2025-2026 Champions League quarter-finals. It is Ousmane Dembélé’s opening goal (the 28-year-old forward).

The situation when PSG build again with a pass from Hakimi to Dembélé.

Caption: – Orange circle: the players being discussed – Everything in black: the possible options – Everything in red: what happened after the image. Line = pass – Arrow = movement – White circle = ball

At this point, PSG have only just won the ball back and they will score about 17 seconds later. Credit must go to João Neves (the 21-year-old midfielder), who made the tackle on Rio Ngumoha (the 17-year-old forward). Achraf Hakimi can then launch the counterattack, with a now classic Parisian pass: a full-back playing diagonally to an attacking player, quite often Ousmane Dembélé.

The latter is actually being “hunted” by Virgil Van Dijk and you can expect a certain aggressiveness when he controls it. Except that, precisely, the Parisian number 10 lets it run through for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (the 25-year-old forward). This move is surprising, avoids the duel, allows the Georgian to control more calmly, and lets Dembélé burst forward in the direction of play before delivering perfectly to Bradley Barcola. It is also worth noting that the balance is maintained: Kvaratskhelia plays centrally, while Vitinha (the 26-year-old midfielder) is out wide on the right. Luis Enrique’s famous fluidity.

The situation when Barcola enters Liverpool’s box.

Caption: – Orange circle: the players being discussed – Everything in black: the possible options – Everything in red: what happened after the image. Line = pass – Arrow = movement – White circle = ball

With his pace, Barcola was able to gain precious yards and bring danger into Liverpool’s penalty area. But he was tracked well and Kvaratskhelia could not get past Van Dijk through the middle. Both of them had the intelligence to move on to something else. The first stops, the second drops deeper to make himself available. That leaves Van Dijk in trouble, because he cannot step out too much while Hakimi (who was in his own box at the start of the move) has already arrived and is calling for the ball at the far post. The cross actually seems possible. But the cut-back is simpler.

The situation when Kvaratskhelia passes to Dembélé.

Caption: – Orange circle: the players being discussed – Everything in black: the possible options – Everything in red: what happened after the image. Line = pass – Arrow = movement – White circle = ball

The counterattack has slowed down a little, but the attack is far from over. The Parisians are still pushing, with Dembélé 25 meters from the opposition goal. It would seem logical to mark him as tightly as possible. Except that there is also Warren Zaïre-Emery next to Kvaratskhelia, as well as Barcola and Hakimi in the box. Not to mention that Vitinha has also arrived close to the penalty spot (obviously).

You can also see that Kvaratskhelia inspires fear: Van Dijk asks Szoboszlai to come closer, no doubt to prevent the Georgian from shifting back onto his left foot to shoot or cross. There is also the sense that Mac Allister is there to help Van Dijk stop an acceleration and a powerful right-footed shot, as the Parisian number 7 does so well. That benefits Dembélé, who has plenty of space. That is the strength of having multiple weapons and movement.

The situation when Dembélé controls the ball.

Caption: – Orange circle: the players being discussed – Everything in black: the possible options – Everything in red: what happened after the image. Line = pass – Arrow = movement – White circle = ball

Dembélé was able to control it, and the danger is obvious. Mac Allister reacts fairly quickly, except that a shot still seems possible and he cannot afford to stop while the Parisian number 10’s right foot is so dangerous. For Liverpool’s other players, it is difficult to come across and help because of all the other threats: Hakimi is already asking for the ball again on the right, Zaïre-Emery is making a run through the middle, while Barcola and Vitinha are also making themselves available, not to mention Kvaratskhelia ready on the left. Dembélé uses all of that to cut inside, get closer to goal, and finish with complete composure. Liverpool could possibly have done better, but one thing stands out: it is particularly difficult to stop PSG, so well equipped collectively and individually, from creating a scoring chance.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.