Jamie Carragher has described Liverpool’s last-minute win over PSG as “one of the biggest robberies in football,” praising goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s stunning performance.
Liverpool secured a dramatic 1-0 victory against the reigning French champions in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Paris. Harvey Elliott scored the winner in the 87th minute with Liverpool’s only shot on target, just moments after coming off the bench.
Throughout the match at the Parc des Princes, Liverpool was dominated, with PSG registering 27 shots, including 10 on target. PSG had a first-half effort from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ruled out for a narrow offside, while Alisson’s heroics kept the French side scoreless.
Speaking on CBS Sports’ coverage, former Liverpool defender Carragher labeled the result a “robbery” and commended Alisson’s performance.
“That’s one of the biggest robberies you will ever see in football,” Carragher stated. “I can’t believe what I just witnessed; PSG were absolutely outstanding and battered Liverpool.”
He recalled that the last time Liverpool won the competition, Alisson made a critical save against Napoli in the last group game, preventing them from being eliminated. “That’s always looked back on as a defining moment,” he noted.
“This wasn’t just a save tonight; it was arguably the greatest performance of his career, certainly in a Liverpool shirt. If Liverpool go on to win the competition, which they have a great chance of, that performance will be remembered for years.”
Alisson made nine saves to deny PSG, including four stops against Kvaratskhelia, as well as crucial saves from Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.
Carragher’s fellow pundit, Thierry Henry, echoed the praise for Alisson, calling his performance “magnificent.”
“Putting the ball in the back of the net matters, but on this occasion, you have to credit Alisson; I think three should have been goals,” Henry said. “You think he had no right to save that.”
He added, “There’s nothing you can say about Alisson Becker; he was magnificent tonight. Without him, Liverpool would have struggled. I don’t remember many games with saves like that in the Champions League.”
Alisson himself admitted it was the “best performance of my life,” inspiring a smash-and-grab victory that gives Liverpool a significant chance of reaching the quarter-finals.
Liverpool will host PSG in the second leg of the last-16 tie on March 11.
