Joe Cole states that Liverpool has no reason to be upset about losing to the “strongest team remaining” in the Champions League, and he believes PSG will make it to the final.

Liverpool’s exit from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain has been met with a sense of resignation. Former player Joe Cole insists that the French giants were deserving victors. The Premier League leaders were eliminated in the last 16 after a tense penalty shootout, following a 1-1 aggregate draw over two gripping legs.

In the first leg, Liverpool managed to pull off a surprising 1-0 victory, thanks in large part to the heroics of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who made several crucial saves. However, the return leg at Anfield saw Ousmane Dembele level the tie with a well-timed goal, forcing the match to penalties after the teams finished deadlocked.

The shootout proved to be a dramatic affair, with PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma putting in a stellar performance, saving penalties from both Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones. Cole, speaking on TNT Sports, expressed his belief that the outcome was fair. “Over the two legs, I don’t think Liverpool or their fans can complain; the better team won,” he stated. “They are educated supporters, and they know last week was a smash and grab job, but tonight PSG played better.”

Cole acknowledged that Liverpool had their chances to secure victory but maintained that PSG’s overall performance warranted their progression. “You would have to be a very biased Liverpool fan to say that the better team didn’t go through,” he added. “PSG created chances tonight; it was just a more balanced game. I think the manager, Luis Enrique, is right – whoever wins this tie, we will see them in the final. I think PSG will get to the final. They are the best side left in the competition.”

Dembele’s impact was undeniable, as he scored a critical early goal at Anfield to level the aggregate score before confidently converting his penalty. With 29 goals in 36 appearances this season, Cole believes the French forward is on the cusp of greatness. “When you talk about someone finding their home at a club and finding his comfort, he has had to play second fiddle to Messi, Mbappe, and Neymar, but he has put it all together,” Cole remarked. “If PSG go and win this tournament, then he could be looking at the Ballon d’Or.”

On the other hand, it was a night to forget for Nunez, who struggled to make an impact after coming on in the second half. Cole suggested that the Uruguayan’s future at Liverpool may be in doubt. “He’s a very good footballer, and he’s had some fantastic moments in his Liverpool career,” Cole said. “He’s going to be a league champion this year, but he’s just not ready to lead the line for Liverpool regularly. He needs to go to a club just that second rung down that’s more suited to his style. I’m thinking something like Atletico Madrid, maybe one of the Italian teams. He needs to get out and play.”

Cole concluded by acknowledging Nunez’s contributions to the squad while also hinting that a change might be necessary for the forward’s development. “You want him in your squad; you see at the weekend that he’s scoring goals. If you give him five minutes, he’ll give everything for the cause. For Darwin, I think his future lies elsewhere. Let’s not forget he’s done a stellar job for this squad; he’s just not ready to lead the line for Liverpool.”