Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool: Line-ups, stats and preview

Paris Saint-Germain take on Liverpool tomorrow night in the Champions League. Read our in-depth preview here...

X
Facebook
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Telegram
Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool

Preview for Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool

Liverpool have looked untouchable for the bulk of this season but they will have to be at their absolute best if they want to progress in the Champions League.

In their path lies Paris Saint-Germain, who have swatted aside all challengers in recent months. Luis Enrique’s men have won 18 of their last 20 games, drawing the other two, and appear to have found their attacking mojo without the departed Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid in the summer has allowed the likes of Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue to flourish with both establishing themselves as key cogs in the PSG machine.

It has also seen a greater responsibility placed on the shoulders of Ousmane Dembele and he has risen to the challenge.

The France forward has managed 26 goals and six assists in 33 appearances in all competitions, with 17 of those goals coming in January and February alone.

Add in the clever probing of Vitinha in midfield and the presence of Marquinhos at the back, and PSG look a more compelling proposition now than they did when Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi lined up together.

Liverpool, of course, can counter Dembele’s brilliance with their own magician, Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian is enjoying a career season with 52 goal involvements in just 39 games.

It is too simplistic to say the tie will come down to who performs better of the two but there is no doubt the contributions of Salah and Dembele will be key to the outcome.

Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool Team News

Luis Enrique has a full squad to choose from. His only selection dilemma is whether to stick with impressive teenager Doue or turn to the experience of January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. It would be a brave move to pay £59 million for the Georgia winger and then leave him out of the club’s biggest game of the season.

Liverpool also have few issues. Only defenders Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley will miss the trip to the French capital.

The visitors will also be well rested with their shock FA Cup exit to Plymouth Argyle in round four giving them the weekend off.

Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool Predicted Line-ups

Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Barcola, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Salah, Diaz

How to watch Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool: TV channel, online live stream

The game can be watched on TNT Sports in the UK. Kick-off is at 20:00 UK time on TNT Sports 1, with live coverage beginning at 17:00.

You can stream the game on Discovery+.

Stats for Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool

  • Paris Saint-Germain have won their last 5 matches in a row in the Champions League while scoring more than 2.5 goals
  • Paris Saint-Germain have won 10 of their last 12 matches in all competitions while scoring more than 1.5 goals
  • In 7 of the last 9 Liverpool matches the total number of goals was over 2.5
  • Liverpool have won 5 of their last 7 matches in the Champions League while scoring fewer than 2.5 goals
 

Prediction for Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool

Not an easy one to call, although on form you have to edge towards PSG. Liverpool haven’t been at their free-flowing best in recent weeks but are still getting the results.

Dembele’s tussle with the Liverpool back four will be fascinating. He primarily operates off the right flank but tends to drift more centrally, meaning he is difficult to pick up. In that regard he is quite similar to Salah.

The tie will likely be determined at Anfield next week but we think PSG might arrive at Anfield with a slender first-leg advantage.

Prediction: Paris-Saint Germain 2-1 Liverpool

X
Facebook
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Telegram
Picture of Jon Fisher

Jon Fisher

Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events.

101GreatGoals.com