Enrique praises PSG, as Reds pay penalty

'One of the best matches'

PSG coach Luis Enrique said both his team and Liverpool deserved a berth in the Champions League quarterfinals, such was the terrific, nail-biting battle between the two sides.

The Spaniard beamed with pride as his squad rallied from being a goal down after last week's first leg, to dispatch Premier League-leading Liverpool 4-1 in a penalty shootout.

"Both of the teams deserved 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 said.

"We tried to play our best, but it was difficult, as they're so intense. Both teams deserved to qualify. The character and personality, even at the penalty shootout, they showed great character. I think it clearly shows the team we are."

Ligue 1 leader PSG has never won the Champions League, losing to Bayern Munich in the 2020 final, while 2019 winner Liverpool was considered the favorite to advance, after topping the table through the eight-game league phase.

"When the draw gave us the match between Liverpool and PSG, both managers thought the same — one of the best matches you can watch in Europe," Enrique said. "I think both teams were great.

"We are happy and confident going into the next phase."