Ousmane Dembele put PSG ahead 1-0 at Anfield, leveling the tie after Liverpool had claimed a 1-0 win in Paris the previous week.
The French side then went on to triumph in a penalty shootout, knocking Liverpool out of the Champions League — a huge blow for Arne Slot’s team, who had been considered strong contenders to win the tournament.
Wayne Rooney, speaking after the match, was particularly critical of Virgil van Dijk’s role in Dembele’s goal, calling out the defender’s lack of effort.
On Prime Video Sport, as cited by Metro, Rooney said: “This goal, from Liverpool’s perspective, is wrong in so many different ways.”
“They’re trying to press, and van Dijk gets lazy. If you watch him, he’s walking, and he leaves a huge gap for Dembele. All he has to do is step across because PSG have no other passing option — but he doesn’t.”
“That gives Dembele plenty of space, and Konate isn’t alert either. Dembele makes a smart run, and it’s an easy finish.”
Although Van Dijk is usually a dependable figure at the back for Liverpool, this moment was far from his best in what turned out to be a tough and disappointing tie.
Even Liverpool’s first-leg win in Paris was largely thanks to an outstanding performance from Alisson Becker, who pulled off multiple saves to keep PSG at bay — but over the two legs, Luis Enrique’s side ultimately deserved their place in the next round.
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