Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) wing-back Achraf Hakimi has acknowledged that Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, was the decisive factor in PSG’s 1-0 defeat in the Champions League round of 16 first leg in Paris on Tuesday.
Alisson delivered an outstanding performance, making nine crucial saves that thwarted PSG’s numerous attempts to score.
After the match, Hakimi commented on Alisson’s impact, noting that the goalkeeper deserved the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his exceptional performance.
He stated, “You saw it, the MVP trophy, they gave it to Alisson. I think he had a very good match.
“He managed all the chances we created. That’s why he deserves his MVP trophy. He deserves more than us. Tonight, we have to congratulate the opponent and especially the goalkeeper. And we did everything we wanted to do, but we didn’t score the chances we should have scored.”
Throughout the match, PSG dominated possession and offensive play. They registered 27 shots and held 70% possession, showcasing their attacking prowess.
However, Alisson’s goalkeeping heroics prevented PSG from converting these opportunities into goals.
Despite the loss, Hakimi expressed satisfaction with PSG’s overall performance and remained optimistic about the second leg at Anfield.
“We are happy with the work, with the team’s desire. There is a second match left and we are going there to bring home the victory. Matches never happen the same way twice. Keep the ball there, go and attack like today.
“If we manage to create the same chances, we will definitely score at least a few. We have the ability to win, we have the squad for that. We will continue on the same dynamic as since the beginning of 2025.”
