The stark reality facing Liverpool after PSG cause Champions League deja vu
Déjà vu all over again for Liverpool, eliminated by the French champions for a second successive season, but this this time without the drama of penalties or the sense of what might have been. A Paris rematch brought the same scoreline as last week, another 2-0 win. Ousmane Dembele, who got an Anfield winner last season, added a brace. Compared to last year, the margin of victory was bigger as Paris Saint-Germain secured a semi-final against Real Madrid or, more probably, Bayern Munich. This trophy may remain in their grasp for another year.
Liverpool can reflect on the damage done in Paris last week though the broader conclusion might be that, after £450m of spending, they have slipped further away from the European elite. They finished third in the league phase this year but they have rarely looked plausible winners of the competition. PSG, 11th in a large league table, are in the last four, their blend of defiant defending, electric attacking and midfield finesse looking them a class apart from the English champions.
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Richard Jolly14 April 2026 22:35
Pundits claim Liverpool are now ‘underdogs’ for Merseyside derby
Chris Wilson15 April 2026 07:00
Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike stretchered off against PSG in huge blow to World Cup hopes
Ekitike went down off the ball holding his ankle after suffering a suspected Achilles injury and appeared in some agony.
Liverpool doctors were quick to signal to the bench that the Frenchman wouldn’t be able to continue and that he would require a stretcher to be taken off.
Chris Wilson15 April 2026 06:00
Pundits blast controversial VAR penalty call that cost Liverpool dearly in Champions League
The hosts were trailing 2-0 on aggregate but still had the second leg finely poised at 0-0, knowing the pendulum could swing heavily in their favour if they made PSG’s net bulge.
It looked like they had secured the golden opportunity to do just that as Alexis Mac Allister went down under the challenge of Willian Pacho to earn Liverpool a penalty on 64 minutes.
Chris Wilson15 April 2026 05:00
Liverpool’s remaining fixtures
Liverpool have just six fixtures remaining as they bid to finish in the top five of the Premier League to return to the Champions League next season.
The Reds will face the following sides in the run-in:
Crystal Palace (H) – 25 April
Manchester United (A) – 3 May
Aston Villa (A) – 17 May (TBD)
Chris Wilson15 April 2026 04:00
How seven Premier League teams could qualify for the Champions League after clinching fifth spot
The Premier League could boast seven clubs in next season’s Champions League if all the right pieces fall into place – but now we know five will be guaranteed.
The extra place was sealed after Arsenal emerged 1-0 victors at Sporting in their quarter-final first leg, with Kai Havertz snatching a late winner in Lisbon.
It is the second consecutive year that the Premier League has earned an additional spot, with the English top flight at the pinnacle of the European Performance Standings.
Chris Wilson15 April 2026 03:00
Atletico Madrid survive barrage from 10-man Barcelona to reach Champions League semi-finals
Atletico Madrid reached their first Champions League semi-final in nine years on Tuesday, squeezing past Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate despite a nerve-racking 2-1 home defeat that had the Metropolitano holding its breath until the final whistle.
Diego Simeone‘s side had done much of the heavy lifting with a 2-0 win at the Camp Nou in the first leg, and that cushion proved just enough to withstand an early Barca blitz as the visitors struck twice in the first half to level the tie.
Lamine Yamal capitalised on a Clement Lenglet error to open the scoring in the fourth minute, finishing neatly past goalkeeper Juan Musso after Ferran Torres set him up.
Chris Wilson15 April 2026 02:00
There are another two Champions League fixtures today as the final matches of the 2025/26 quarter-finals take place.
Arsenal host Sporting CP at the Emirates, with the Gunners holding a 1-0 aggregate lead in that one.
And Real Madrid travel to Bayern Munich in the second leg of their tie, with the Bundesliga side holding a 2-1 advantage in that one.
Chris Wilson15 April 2026 01:00
Liverpool’s remaining fixtures
Liverpool have just six fixtures remaining as they bid to finish in the top five of the Premier League to return to the Champions League next season.
The Reds will face the following sides in the run-in:
Crystal Palace (H) – 25 April
Manchester United (A) – 3 May
Aston Villa (A) – 17 May (TBD)
Chris Wilson15 April 2026 00:00
Pundits claim Liverpool are now ‘underdogs’ for Merseyside derby
Chris Wilson14 April 2026 23:45