Firmino Unleashes the 'Pool's Winner over PSG

It's not like Liverpool's a spendthrift or anything.

The Reds are a big brand with a big budget, but compared to them, Paris-St Germain is still the high-priced spread.

With all their talent, though, it's still a mystery why manager Thomas Tuchel insists on playing his forwards so high.

When PSG matches up with a high-caliber side like Liverpool, it seems like it'd be a recipe trouble.

 

Liverpool and PSG kicked off their campaigns in the Champions League Group C at the UEFA Champions League at Anfield, and sure enough, Jürgen Klopp's pressuring approach won the day in time added on, 3-2, in a match that was value for money.

The Reds started suffocating the Parisian attack early and often. The 'keepers were kept busy, as James Milner could have opened the scoring, but Alphonse Areola denied him.Later  PSG finally found space to respond through Neymar, but his countryman, Alisson Becker, made the save.

 

Anything for the team.

The scoring got started in the 30th minute when Daniel Sturridge fired a bullet of a header after a spiffy cross from Andy Robertson:

 

Six minutes later, the Reds doubled their lead.

Juan Bernat brought Georginio Wijnaldum down inside the box. Milner converted the ensuing penalty into the bottom corner. 

 

PSG put themselves back into it in the 40th.

An accurate cross from the left created a chance for Thomas Meunier, who hit net a highlight-reel half-volley:

 

The second half featured the Reds coming forward in waves in the early going, but as the game stats showed:

• Liverpool outshot PSG, 17-9, and
• Liverpool won more corners, 13-1, but
• Shots on target were virtually even, 7-5.

 

Even more frustrating for the 'Pool, Mohamed Salah even scored what would've been their third, but his goal was ruled out for a foul on Areola. 

Then, ironies of ironies, PSG rose up against the tide to level the score in the 82nd. Salah missed a pass in midfield, Neymar drove forward, and passed it to Kylian Mbappé.

Bingo.

 

This well and truly opened up the action, with both sides having chances.

The one that counted came after two minutes of free football. Roberto Firmino took a pass and fired a low shot home into the far corner:

 

Done deal.

This match was definitely no endorsement of PSG's floating forwards. Liverpool, meanwhile, continues to answer every challenge.