Paris Saint-Germain ended Liverpool’s Champions League campaign for the second straight season with a convincing win at Anfield on Tuesday night. As expected, Ousmane Dembele once again proved the difference-maker. A year after his decisive strike in the previous last-16 tie that sent PSG through on penalties, the French winger returned to Merseyside to net twice in a 2-0 victory, sealing a dominant 4-0 aggregate win for the reigning champions.

Dembele’s first goal was both magnificent and pivotal, curling the ball into the bottom corner of Giorgio Mamardashvili’s net just when Liverpool were applying heavy pressure. His sublime effort in the 72nd minute broke the home side’s resistance, and he capped off the night by scoring again in stoppage time after a swift PSG counter-attack.

However, Dembele’s brace wasn’t the only talking point from the tie. The night also stirred controversy over Arne Slot’s team selection. Below, GOAL looks at the biggest winners and losers from another dramatic European night at Anfield between Liverpool and PSG.

WINNER: Dembele’s Ballon d’Or defence

Slot didn’t get much right on the night, but he was spot on when he admitted, “Dembele’s goal showed why he won the Ballon d’Or last season.” It was a moment of pure class from the winger-turned-forward, who had been relatively quiet up to that point in the quarter-final. PSG’s wastefulness in Paris was partly due to Dembele himself, who missed a golden chance in the first half of the second leg.

Yet the breakthrough was all about Dembele. He started and finished the move, combining neatly with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inside his own half before finishing with precision. Once he rediscovered his scoring touch, it was no surprise when he found the net again right before the final whistle.

Although Dembele hasn’t quite hit his 2025 peak so far, his decisive display at Anfield and PSG’s return to form put him in a strong position to mount another Ballon d’Or challenge—especially with France among the favourites for this summer’s World Cup.

LOSER: Ekitike’s World Cup dream

Sadly for France, Hugo Ekitike might not be joining Dembele on the flight to North America. The Liverpool striker, who had forced his way into Didier Deschamps’ plans with stellar performances this season, went down clutching his leg just 30 minutes into the match while chasing a through ball.

There was no contact from an opponent, always a worrying sign, and as he lay on the turf in pain, Ekitike gestured to the medical staff that something had torn.

Slot refrained from confirming whether it was an Achilles injury but admitted the early signs “looked really bad,” adding that the distraught striker had already left the ground.

Ibrahima Konate said he was praying for his teammate’s full recovery, echoing the sentiment of every football fan. It would be heartbreaking if such a talented youngster missed what would have been his first World Cup.

WINNER: Marquinhos the rock

While Dembele’s goals sealed the victory, Marquinhos was arguably the true match-winner. Willian Pacho impressed alongside him, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes defended with discipline, while Matvey Safonov made key saves.

But it was Marquinhos who anchored the backline during Liverpool’s second-half siege and produced the defining moment of the night. In the 30th minute, Safonov’s reflex save from Milos Kerkez dropped to Virgil van Dijk, who seemed certain to score—until Marquinhos appeared out of nowhere to produce a miraculous block.

The captain’s intervention was as good as a goal, and his celebration showed how much it meant. Had Liverpool scored then, the entire game—and tie—could have shifted. Luis Enrique’s attackers often steal the spotlight, but PSG’s success owes as much to their inspirational leader at the back.

LOSER: The Premier League vs PSG

The Premier League prides itself on being the toughest competition in club football, but encounters with English sides often seem to bring out the best in PSG. Luis Enrique’s team have now faced English opposition 13 times since January last year, winning 10 of those, including their last four consecutively.

Even their two defeats in that span—against Liverpool and Aston Villa—didn’t stop them from progressing. PSG have now won five straight knockout ties against Premier League clubs.

Critics will argue that PSG benefit from limited domestic competition and fixture flexibility in Ligue 1, but there’s no denying their dominance over English rivals. Arsenal, for one, will be hoping to avoid them in this year’s final.

WINNER: Xabi Alonso supporters

Xabi Alonso was the fan-favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp after his announcement to step down in 2023-24. However, the former Reds midfielder stayed with Bayer Leverkusen to lead them into the Champions League before later joining Real Madrid.

In a surprising yet typically Real Madrid twist, Florentino Perez dismissed Alonso just six months into his tenure for clashing with senior players like Vinicius Junior. Since then, Liverpool fans have been increasingly vocal about replacing struggling Slot with Alonso.

Those calls will only grow louder after this result, as it’s hard to watch Liverpool’s disjointed display and not imagine Alonso getting far more out of talents like Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz.

LOSER: Slot’s fading tenure

Many former players turned pundits have hesitated to demand Slot’s sacking, suggesting his job would only be in danger if Liverpool failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League. But that moment has already arrived.

Realistically, the club should have acted sooner—either after the disastrous November run or during the international break following the humiliating defeat to Brighton. The board’s reluctance has cost Liverpool any chance of silverware, with 4-0 exits in both the FA Cup and Champions League against Manchester City and PSG respectively.

Slot’s tactical decisions have been baffling. In Paris, he abandoned his principles with a defensive back five, and at Anfield, he wasted the first half by starting the half-fit Alexander Isak while benching Mohamed Salah and Rio Ngumoha.

There seems no way back now. Slot has failed to maximise the squad’s potential, and finishing fifth is unacceptable given last summer’s massive investment. After the match, he again deflected blame toward recruitment, but accountability lies with the manager. The reality is simple—Liverpool have regressed under his leadership.

Tuesday should mark Slot’s final European night as Liverpool manager. This disappointing chapter has dragged on too long, and everyone connected to the club knows it.