- Sturridge opens scoring
- Mane wins PK, Milner converts
- Salah giveaway leads to equalizer
- Firmino saves the day
Roberto Firmino’s stoppage time goal saved Liverpool blushes after the Reds gave away a two-goal lead but came back to beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 in the UEFA Champions League group stage on Tuesday at Anfield.
Daniel Sturridge and James Milner scored first for the Reds, who looked to be on cruise control after a dominant first half.
Thomas Meunier and Kylian Mbappe scored for the visitors set the stage for a grandstand finish.
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Liverpool was twice denied by the paw of Alphonse Areola within seven minutes of kickoff, with Virgil van Dijk and James Milner earning corner kicks.
PSG found its first real danger when Edinson Cavani set up Neymar for a drive at Alisson Becker, and Virgil van Dijk helped produce a tame rebound effort.
Sturridge, only starting due to an injury to Roberto Firmino, put the Reds ahead in the 31st minute when he headed an Andy Robertson cross past Areola.
Liverpool headed to the spot for a chance to make it 2-0 when Juan Bernat made a clumsy challenge on Georginio Wijnaldum. That’s Milner’s office, and the two-goal lead arrived at Anfield.
But Meunier was on hand to pull one back when a partially-blocked shot came to him for a left-footed volley inside the 18.
[ MORE: Full lineups, stats, box score ]43 - Since the start of last season, Liverpool have scored 43 Champions League goals; 10 more than any other team in the competition in this period. Juggernaut. #LIVPSG pic.twitter.com/FZfqfTFXjZ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 18, 2018
Mohamed Salah believed he had restored Liverpool’s two-goal lead, but Sturridge’s sliding stamp on Areola’s groin was called a foul and a free kick was awarded.
Moments after Sadio Mane came oh-so-close to giving the Reds a two-goal lead, Liverpool collapsed under the weight of a Salah giveaway.
Julian Draxler snagged the ball and fed Neymar, who dribbled towards Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman got a piece of Neymar’s dribble, but the block went right to Mbappe, who did not miss his chance to best Alisson Becker.3 - Kylian Mbappe has scored in his third Champions League season - he is only one of nine players to have scored in 3+ seasons aged under 21. Prodigy. #LIVPSG pic.twitter.com/QIP5FzQOz0
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 18, 2018
Trent Alexander-Arnold came close to restoring the lead when Marquinhos gave away a free kick on the edge of the PSG box.
But Firmino was the man to give all three points to the Reds.