Liverpool's Champions League hopes are hanging in the balance after a demoralising defeat by reigning European champions Paris St-Germain – their 16th loss of the season.

Desire Doue's deflected strike looped over the head of Giorgi Mamardashvili to give the Ligue 1 leaders the lead, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled their advantage with a moment of brilliance.

It means the Reds, who failed to register an attempt on target, have it all to do to stay in the competition in the quarter-final second leg at Anfield next Tuesday.

After suffering a four-goal mauling by Manchester City in their previous game, Liverpool appeared to be on a damage limitation exercise and started with a five-man defence in the French capital.

But PSG took the lead in the 11th minute – and dominated throughout – amid another muddled performance by Arne Slot's side that raised more questions than answers.

Mamardashvili, standing in for injured first-choice Alisson, was beaten by 20-year-old Doue's finish from inside just the box which took a wicked deflection off Virgil van Dijk and flew over the keeper into the net.

Mamardashvili recovered to make some key saves and keep Liverpool in the tie, including a fine one-handed stop to deny Georgia team-mate Kvaratskhelia before repelling Doue after the Reds were carved open.

But Liverpool did fall further behind when Kvaratskhelia added PSG's second with a lovely piece of skill after rounding the keeper from Joao Neves' defence-splitting pass.

It could have been worse for Liverpool when Warren Zaire-Emery went down after a challenge by Ibrahima Konate – but the penalty decision was overturned after the official watched the incident again on the pitchside monitor.

Konate was then fortunate not to be penalised for shoving Nuno Mendes in the area in stoppage time.

Ousmane Dembele also missed three glorious chances, the first when he shot straight at Mamardashvili, the second when he blazed over the bar and then when he hit the woodwork after a mistake by Jeremie Frimpong late on.

Liverpool sent on Alexander Isak for his first taste of action since December after injury but face an almighty challenge to overturn PSG's advantage in six days' time.

Liverpool analysis: Reds completely outplayed by classy hosts

All the talk before this game was whether Liverpool could respond with a positive performance after Saturday's 4-0 humbling at Manchester City in the FA Cup.

The short answer was no.

And this could have been so much worse for the Reds – PSG were dominant from start to finish and registered 18 attempts at goal (with six on target).

But for three fine saves by Mamardashvili it could have been another humbling scoreline for Liverpool, whose defence was opened up time and again.

There was an improvement in terms of attitude, while Liverpool showed more ambition after half-time, but this was ultimately a performance lacking in confidence.

The return of Isak is one of the few positives on a night the visitors were clearly second best.

Liverpool, of course, will still believe they can turn it around next week under the floodlights at Anfield where they have done just that so many times over the years.

But PSG will be similarly confident of finishing the job.

PSG analysis: Reigning champions starting to hit their groove

PSG were a joy to watch and dictated from the first minute of Wednesday's game.

The fans also played their part, unveiling a tifo before kick-off of a Hulk-like character ripping the Liverpool club crest.

Luis Enrique's side have a knack of beating Premier League clubs – and will back themselves to seal their passage to the semi-finals in England next week.

Since the start of last season, the French champions have defeated Manchester City, Aston Villa, Arsenal (twice), Tottenham, Chelsea (twice) and now Liverpool (twice).

They have spent this campaign trying to replicate what they did last season and, in recent weeks, there have been signs they are starting to find their best form.

PSG's only disappointment will be that they did not win by a more handsome margin and put this tie to bed before the second leg. (BBC)

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