A penalty in first half stoppage time from James Milner was not enough for Jurgen Klopp's side, who conceded early on to Juan Bernat and Neymar and rarely looked like getting themselves back into the game.
The Parisians have made no secret of their desire to win this tournament, and following three consecutive years of disappointment at going out at the last 16 stage, a loss on Wednesday would have almost certainly condemned them to an even more humiliating group stage exit.
As a result, the Parc des Princes was a sea of colour and noise ahead of kickoff, the crowd boosted by the fact that both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe were passed fit to play. Mbappe in particular was a real danger down the left, causing all sorts of problems for fill-in right back, Joe Gomez.
However, it was Gomez's opposite number who scored the opening goal. Bernat capitalised on some slack defending from the Englishman and Virgil van Dijk, nicking the ball and firing a finish past Alisson.
Neymar made it two shortly after. Cavani couldn't convert from Mbappe's cross, but the Brazilian was on hand to tuck home a simple finish into the unguarded net. PSG were in cruise control, the Liverpool midfield almost absent.
But a lifeline came courtesy of Angel Di Maria and the assistant referee. The Argentine flew into a challenge with Sadio Mane in the box, wiping the winger out. The referee pointed for a corner but was overruled by his helpers and the penalty was given. Milner stepped up and sent Buffon the wrong way.
Half-time came and went, and while Liverpool improved in the second half, they never truly threatened the equalising goal. Thiago Silva and Marquinhos delighted in every tackle, every interception, and they were greeted with an even bigger roar at the full-time whistle.
PSG must now travel to Belgrade, where a win against Red Star guarentees their progress. Liverpool have an all-or-nothing tie at home to Napoli. Nothing short of a win will do for them.
28 November 2018