Alisson's sensational game gives Liverpool edge over PSG in UCL tie

Gianluigi Donnarumma watched counterpart Alisson Becker make save after save but couldn't produce one himself when it mattered most, as his Paris Saint-Germain lost 1-0 to an at times overwhelmed Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie Wednesday.

Liverpool substitute Harvey Elliott scored mere seconds after replacing Mohamed Salah in the 86th minute to steal a win. It was the Reds' only shot on target and second overall compared to PSG's 28.

Alisson made nine saves, including diving efforts and fingertip stops, to frustrate PSG on a night they dominated in virtually every category but the one that mattered most. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also had a goal ruled offside in the first half.

"It was probably the performance of my life," Alisson said.

The two sides will meet again Tuesday at Anfield for the decisive second leg.

PSG entered the contest on the back of 10 straight wins and immediately took the game to Liverpool.

Kvaratskhelia, who joined PSG in January in a €70-million move from Napoli, thought he had shot his team into a deserved lead when his curler eluded Alisson's grasp in the 20th minute. But replays later showed that Kvaratskhelia was offside by an ankle in the lead-up.

PSG continued to mount pressure on Liverpool's uncharacteristically disorganized back line and appealed for a penalty when Ibrahima Konate appeared to push Bradley Barcola in the back.

A similar story played out in the second half. Alisson produced arguably his best save of the match in the 70th minute, diving spectacularly to his left to deny Desire Doue's effort.

But Elliott landed the sucker punch. Fellow substitute Darwin Nunez had the composure to find Elliott in a sea of bodies, and the streaking midfielder's shot was strong enough to squeeze past Donnarumma's outstretched arm.

"I am still optimistic because we would have been more than worthy winners with our performance," PSG midfielder Vitinha told Canal Plus.

"I know that in football goals are all that matter, but the truth is that playing like that takes us closer.

"I am sure it will happen in Liverpool, that we will play with the same character and we will win."