Roberto Firmino fires late winner as Liverpool start Champions League campaign with win over flat PSG

Liverpool 3-2 PSG: Kylian Mbappe seemed to have stolen an unlikely point before Firmino came off the bench to arrow the ball into the far corner

Roberto Firmino peels away to celebrate his winning strike (Reuters)

For Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Liverpool, an utterly priceless feeling. For Paris Saint-Germain, a lesson against the type of football and ethic that that money just can’t seem to buy. That was one of many differences between these teams and clubs, as Liverpool took control of their Champions League with a commanding – if nerve-shredding – 3-2 win.

It was not just that Jurgen Klopp’s side possessed a collective focus that the French champions did not. It was the spirit and resolve that led to that late Firmino goal.

That was very much the theme of the night: resilience, and resolve.

Roberto Firmino was Liverpool’s saviour (Reuters)

That goals so reflective of this bookended the scoring was appropriate. There was first of all the emotional way that Sturridge finally got that meaningful Champions League goal, as he remarkable made his first Champions League start for the club, but that as a mere stand-in for Roberto Firmino – in a decision that initially brought a lot of questions around Anfield.

There was then the way Firmino came on, to step up, and rescue a victory that looked to have been squandered, after a 2-0 lead had been squandered.

Liverpool however ultimately had a collective focus that PSG do not, even if they still don’t completely have the composed defence that Klopp would want.

Liverpool celebrate their opening goal of the night (Getty Images)

Any complaints about that were however banished with the wider sense of frustration, blown away with Firmino’s thunderous strike to be replaced by a riveting feeling of optimism.

Sturridge’s goal wasn’t the only sign of resurgence, either.

As if to go with the occasion, and the opposition, Liverpool rose to it for their best spell of football of the season so far. There were moments of this up there with some of their best performances and nights from last season, not least the whirlwind that brought that 2-0 lead. This was what they subjected Manchester City and Roma, even if the force of the gales weren’t yet as fearsome.

Some of the attacking was still relentless, with that redemptive Sturridge opening goal a case in point.

Jurgen Klopp watches on from the touchline (Reuters)

It came from a long period when Liverpool were just powering and powering at PSG – Van Dijk having a shot turned away one corner, Milner another at the other corner – and eventually found themselves pushing the French champions right back to the by-line. There, Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped one cross over, and while that couldn’t quite inflict sufficient damage, the one that immediately followed did. It was admittedly supreme, as Robertson played the perfect cross for Sturridge to get that goal. There were no more questions about him, only joyous responses.

It was a nice little moment, and one that temporarily looked set to lead to a lot more goals. Within minutes, Juan Bernat had tripped Gini Wijnaldum, a penalty was given and Milner – of course – took the opportunity.

They’re rarely not perfect, just as his performances are rarely not exemplary.

Milner also looked the kind of player that PSG don’t have enough.

Neymar is challenged by Jordan Henderson (Reuters)

Because, at this point in the game, both sides were more than living up to wider perceptions.

Liverpool looked a proper team, one that the manager has made into so much more than the sum of their parts. They had a collective concentration and focus.

PSG meanwhile just looked a collection of stars rather than a collective, one where the manager is struggling to make them match the sums paid.

It is still a collection of some of the most expensive players in the world, mind, who will always be capable of individual moments of inspiration regardless of what system or team they’re in. That was always the danger for Liverpool throughout the game, and that was the warning just before half-time.

James Milner scores from the penalty spot (Getty Images)

They had already been served notice with the number of times Neymar had looked to pick out Kylian Mbappe’s runs on the break. If you have that kind of quality in your side, then it doesn’t matter how you’re performing. They’re always going to producing something.
And so, appropriately out of almost nothing, PSG got back into the game. Thomas Meunier turned in an inventive finish.

The pattern, and tension, of the second half was set; a tension not helped by the fact Liverpool struggled to add that third goal they probably deserved.

Mohamed Salah did have the ball in the net again just before the hour, but that was ruled out because of Sturridge’s challenge on Alphonse Areola.

Thomas Muenier pulled PSG back into the game before half-time (PA)

It looked a correct decision on the replay, and Sturridge might even have got off lightly for how he went in.

The striker then let PSG off lightly moments later. He had another presentable headed opportunity from a cross, but this time could only hit it tamely into the goalkeeper’s hands. It had much less force than his challenge.

So much force then seemed to go out of Liverpool as Mbappe did what had been so warned, and hit an 83rd-minute equaliser.

Kylian Mbappe celebrates his late leveller for PSG (Reuters)

That was the difference for PSG: possessing a player like that. This, however, is the difference with this Liverpool: possessing a spirit like that Klopp has instilled.

They still had more. They still had a response. They had feeling money can’t buy, and a focus PSG can’t seem to create.

They now have three points, and – crucially – even more momentum. The perfect start to the season continues, an imperfect night actually only making it all the better.