Former Manchester United superstar David Beckham was spotted posing for selfies in the stands at Parc des Princes as Liverpool took on Paris Saint-Germain – before appearing stunned as the Reds grabbed a late winner.
The Red Devils icon was spotted at various points during the coverage of the game as he appeared to grimace after Harvey Elliott broke the deadlock for Liverpool in the 87th minute en route to a 1-0 victory. The Reds substitute scored against the run of play as he dispatched his effort past Gianluigi Donnarumma with his first touch of the ball since being introduced from the bench.
The former England captain posed for pictures with fellow spectators, who could not resist the opportunity to grab a snap alongside a bona fide sporting legend. The 1999 Champions League winner was also spotted in conversation at points during proceedings as he watched on from his vantage point in the stands.
After he was first spotted on camera during the TNT Sports coverage of the last 16 Champions League tie early on in the clash, Beckham was witness to an animated first half. During the first period, PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was denied an opener after he was ruled to have strayed offside following a sumptuous effort.
Having been slipped in by Vitinha, the Georgian attacker showed his trickery as he created space for himself before unleashing a left-footed shot past Alisson Becker. Peeling away, the ex-Napoli man’s brilliance sent the capacity crowd at Parc des Princes into rapturous celebrations.
(Image: ESPN)
Ultimately, this decision proved divisive among pundits, with former Rangers forward Ally McCoist among those left ruing the decision to rule the goal out. He said on TNT Sports: “What a break that is. We knew it was tight. It is almost criminal to disallow that, it was such a good finish. But if it’s offside, it’s offside.”
Meanwhile, ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock also admitted that Liverpool had ridden its luck after a period of intense domination in the final third from PSG. He said on BBC Five Live: “Khvicha Kvaratskhelia must have strayed offside. Liverpool get away with one.”
(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
However, UEFA’s semi-automated offside system determined that the forward’s leg was just beyond Liverpool’s last man when the initial ball was played into him. As a result, the Reds were able to breathe an almighty sigh of relief as the scores remained level despite a spell of incessant PSG pressure.
Following on from this, further controversy ensued after Ibrahima Konate remained on the field following what appeared to be a push on PSG’s Bradley Barcola. After a review from VAR, it was determined that the France captain had not fouled the opposition player following a check for a potential red card.
Beckham’s former United teammate Rio Ferdinand was among those who were convinced that the Reds defender had been fortunate to have stayed on the pitch. Speaking on TNT Sports, he asserted: “That is a foul. The push is in the back, so it’s a foul. If that’s not a red card I’ll be amazed.”
