Liverpool fans were left seething by Achraf Hakimi’s post-match antics following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over the Premier League frontrunners in the Champions League.
Moroccan right-back Hakimi was on the pitch for the full 120 minutes as PSG bounced back from a first-leg loss to outdo their English rivals. Ousmane Dembele’s goal in the first half nullified Harvey Elliott’s contribution from the first leg, and both a devastated Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones missed their penalties, resulting in Liverpool‘s 4-1 defeat in the shootout.
Arne Slot‘s Reds had topped the group stage, while PSG had to navigate a play-off against Brest. However, Luis Enrique’s squad has been in scintillating form in 2025, with the first-leg setback being their only loss in 19 games.
PSG will now face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the quarter-finals, while Liverpool must regroup swiftly ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. The disappointment was palpable at the final whistle, but it was Hakimi’s celebration with a PSG flag that really stoked the ire of the fans.
The Kop responded to Hakimi’s display with boos, adding to the frustrations of an evening where Liverpool created more opportunities than in the first leg but couldn’t find a way past Donnarumma.
Liverpool clinched the Champions League title in the 2018-19 season, having faced PSG in the group stages. Now, the Ligue 1 champions are aiming to claim the trophy themselves, following their semi-final exit last campaign.
Aston Villa looks set to be their quarter-final adversaries after securing a 3-1 win in Belgium during their first leg. Yet, as PSG demonstrated on Tuesday, home advantage doesn’t guarantee success in the return fixture.
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Despite a first-leg loss, PSG’s manager Luis Enrique remained positive about advancing, a sentiment vindicated by their victory at Anfield. Speaking to Amazon Prime post-penalty shootout, he contended that “Both of the teams deserve to go to the next phase”.
“They play better than us here, but I think my team at Anfield, in a special stadium showed great personality and character,” he further remarked. “We tried to play our best, but it was difficult as they’re so intense. Both teams deserve to qualify.
“The character and personality, even when we shoot at the penalty shootout they showed great character. I think it shows clearly the team we are.”
Having previously won the Champions League as a manager with Barcelona, defeating Juventus in the 2015 final, Luis Enrique might yet face his old club in this year’s final if Lamine Yamal’s inspired performance, leading Barca to a 4-1 aggregate win over Benfica, is anything to go by.
