UCL Preview: PSG look for a turnaround in Liverpool
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Six days on from a gutting 0-1 home defeat to Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie, Paris Saint-Germain will face the English side again, playing the second leg on the road at Anfield. Read on for our preview of this crucial match for Luis Enrique's side.
Strong play at the weekend
Only the slimmest of margins separated the two sides at the Parc des Princes, and their similarities extend to their form and position in their respective league tables. The capital side haven't lost domestically all season -- their defeat by the Reds was their first in any competition in more than three months and they sit sixteen points clear of Marseille in Ligue 1 McDonald's after a solid display against Stade Rennais. In a 4-1 win, Ousmane Dembélé once again proved irresistible, netting a brace in stoppage time to secure a 4-1 win.
As for Liverpool, they faced a sterner test, as they had to battle hard against bottom side Southampton on Saturday. After conceding the opener in first-half stoppage time, Arne Slot's side also were able to call on their top scorer, as Mo Salah scored a brace in an eventual 3-1 win, a result that saw them pull fifteen clear of Arsenal. Thus, with both sides well on their way to their respective titles, this tie takes on an outsize importance.
Their "toughest" match of the season
With Liverpool largely outclassed in the first leg, snatching a point only from a late Harvey Elliott winner, the match was something of a shock to the English side's system, as forward Diogo Jota explained, "Yes, I think so. Obviously some games are tough, but the way that game went was not the plan." It was a sentiment echoed by Liverpool coach Slot, who was far from shocked by the Parisians' level, saying, "I wasn't surprised with their performance, I watched them a lot and I was impressed with their intensity. They are such a complete team. Last Wednesday, some people said we played poor, but they played tremendously well."
That much may be true, but PSG will again need top play from their entire side, with trick January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia coming to the fore after his strong play of late. Said the Georgian of the match's stake, "It will be the most important match of the season because it is in the Champions League. Our goal is to continue and go all the way. They have the advantage, so Tuesday's match will be the most important of the season."
Predicted lineups:
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, MacAllister (or Szoboszlai); Salah, Elliott, Diaz; Nuñez
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz (or Doué); Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Barcola
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