Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs PSG as Ryan Gravenberch good but one struggles

Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs PSG as Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz and others impressed, but Arne Slot's men couldn't quite do enough to mount a comeback

Ryan Gravenberch dribbles during Liverpool vs PSG.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Liverpool battled well and fought hard, but PSG stayed in the tie. There was, undoubtedly, something to build on for Arne Slot, but ultimately his team has exited Europe.

Ousmane Dembele missed a huge chance from close range inside the first 20 minutes and a brilliant block from Marquinhos prevented Virgil van Dijk netting from close range. That was the closest either team came to breaking the deadlock in the first half, in which Hugo Ekitike was stretchered off.

Liverpool kept up the energy in the second half but it couldn't find a way past Matvei Safonov in the PSG goal. A VAR check ruled off a penalty and Rio Ngumoha threw in a few stepovers, but the comeback mission wasn't to be. Dembele's excellent goal sealed that fate and then he made it two late on.

Winners

This was a more energized performance from Liverpool in general. Alexis Mac Allister, for instance, found some new legs in the center. At times, though, the Reds were guilty of rushing or making the wrong move. Some of the passing was off and often, there were risks taken that didn't need to be. A step in the right direction, yes; but also, a reminder of the work that still needs to be done.

Losers

Losing Ekitike to an injury in the first half was a hammer blow for Liverpool. As Arne Slot has said so many times this season, whenever his side seems to take a step in the right direction, it is hit with another setback. Alexander Isak was available again, but now Ekitike surely faces a period out. It's far from ideal.

Player ratings

Giorgi Mamardashvili (7). A good performer in the first leg, even though he was beaten twice, the Georgian needed to be alert once again here. He looked confident and clean on the big stage, but couldn't do anything with the goals that beat him.

Jeremie Frimpong (6). He played very well against Fulham and deserved the chance to showcase some attacking intent again. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave him a tough test defensively, but his speed was an asset in both directions. Faded a bit and came off at the break with his minutes being managed.

Ibrahima Konate (7). Having struggled in the first leg of the game, he stepped up here. Though he was taking some chances by stepping up, he got it right more times than not against Dembele. His passing was mainly fine, but could have been crisper.

Virgil van Dijk (7). He spoke in advance of the game of Liverpool needing Anfield at its finest, and he got his wish. Set the tone with some snappy tackles early on in the game.

Milos Kerkez (7). Playing in a huge game and coming up against the electric Desire Doue and then Bradley Barcola, he defended well. On occasion, he needed to be more composed when under pressure, but you can only learn that from experiences like these. He grew into things nicely.

Dominik Szoboszlai (7). The Hungarian was playing deeper, which might be his best role moving forward. Some of his passes went astray early on, but he did dictate on occasion too. As ever, full of energy.

Ryan Gravenberch (7). Back in the team after a rest at the weekend against Fulham, when he had the rare chance to watch on from the bench, the Dutchman looked refreshed and raring to go. Slightly less influential in the second half but got back to doing those trademark mazy dribbles forward under pressure that he did so often last term.

Alexis Mac Allister (7). Often the most advanced of the Liverpool midfield trio, the Argentine was energized by the crowd but booked for a late tackle on Joao Neves. He was much more purposeful than he has been of late, but was just a yard slower than he needed to be. His energy waned in the first half and came back a little in the second, but it was the right call to chalk off the penalty.

Florian Wirtz (7). These are the kinds of games that Liverpool has brought the German in for. He clearly has quality but, though not as much as last week, was often crowded out with so many PSG players around him. Even so, some of his balls around the corner and in behind were genius. They just need to be more frequent.

Hugo Ekitike (6). He seemed to enjoy the opportunity to start alongside Isak and was lively, though he didn't always make the right decisions in possession. By the time he got properly into his stride, he had picked up the injury that forced him off.

Alexander Isak (5). Starting for the first time since December, the Swede was only able to last the first half. He is clearly not fit enough yet to have started, but it was worth the gamble, even if it didn't end up paying off.

Substitutes

Mohamed Salah (6). Coming on earlier than expected thanks to the Ekitike injury, the Egyptian was full of running and clearly determined to leave a mark on the game. Who knows if he will play in the Champions League again? He was full of desire but his touch needed to be better at times.

Joe Gomez (6). Replacing Frimpong, presumably because the Dutchman's fitness is being managed, he did well to get up the pace of the game quickly. Then went off with an issue of his own.

Cody Gakpo (6). On for Isak, who could only last for half the game, he immediately offered more in the central attacking position. Direct running and an injection of more physical power were the order of the day, and he provided them for a spell before tailing off.

Rio Ngumoha (6). Showed a few glimpses but not quite the final product. A nice moment for him to be trusted in a game like this.