Firmino hands Liverpool flying Champions League start over PSG

Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino (R) replaces Liverpool's English striker Daniel Sturridge during the UEFA Champions League group C football match between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield in Liverpool. Pic/AFP

Liverpool left it late but showed Paris Saint-Germain have plenty of work to do if they are to challenge for a first-ever Champions League title as Roberto Firmino struck in stoppage time to seal a 3-2 win at Anfield on Tuesday. Despite the late drama, victory was well deserved for last season's finalists who dominated throughout and bounced back from blowing a 2-0 first-half lead to take the early advantage in Group C.

Daniel Sturridge and a James Milner penalty put the hosts in command before Thomas Meunier reduced PSG's arrears. Having kept Kylian Mbappe and the world's most expensive player Neymar quiet for almost the entire match, Liverpool seemed set to pay a heavy price for one poor pass by Mohamed Salah as Mbappe swept home seven minutes from time in front of a stunned Kop. But Firmino, who started on the bench due to an eye injury suffered against Tottenham on Saturday, had the final say as he twisted and turned before firing into the far corner to stretch Liverpool's perfect start to the season to six games.

Salah scored 44 goals in a stunning debut campaign last season, but has failed to match that form since injuring his shoulder in May's Champions League final, and after he and Sadio Mane were accused of being too selfish in their quest for goals in Saturday's 2-1 win over Tottenham, he struggled for his best again on Tuesday. So far Liverpool haven't paid for Salah's slump in form as victory extended their perfect start to the season to six straight wins. PSG crumbled on their Champions League travels to Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the past two seasons and their ability to challenge for the competition was again questioned as they struggled to contain Liverpool's greater speed and power in midfield.

Sturridge shines
Up front, Firmino's absence opened the door for Sturridge to make his first Champions League start for the club. The Englishman has been dogged by injury and lack of form during Klopp's nearly three years in charge, but took his chance on the big stage by powering home a pinpoint curling cross from Andy Robertson to open the scoring on the half-hour mark. "It is great to contribute to the team today," said Sturridge. "It is a team here and everybody is going to add to the wealth of the club."

Six minutes later, PSG's deficit was doubled when Juan Bernat tripped Georginio Wijnaldum inside the area and Milner slammed the resulting penalty into the bottom corner. However, the visitors were handed a lifeline through right-back Meunier, rather than one of their famed front three, as the Belgian skilfully readjusted to volley home Robertson's miscued clearance. Klopp was annoyed at his side for having to survive a nervous finale at Wembley on Saturday after passing up a series of chances to put the game to bed.

And it was looked like this time they would pay as Salah had a goal ruled out for a foul by Sturridge before the latter headed a glorious chance into the arms of Areola. Seven minutes from time, Salah's slack pass was intercepted and quickly fed into Neymar, with Van Dijk's tackle on the Brazilian only rebounding into the path of Mbappe to fire home. Klopp responded by replacing Salah with Xherdan Shaqiri as Liverpool instantly went in search of a winner. Trent Alexander-Arnold's deflected free-kick came back off the woodwork before they finally got their reward when Firmino powered home.

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