Liverpool will travel to Parc des Princes to take on PSG for their first leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds on Wednesday,
Liverpool will be desperate to get through to the next round of the UEFA Champions League, and a positive result vs PSG could prove to be vital ahead of the second leg. Both sides have done quite well this season, and this is likely to be a cracking contest.
PSG are in exceptional form right now, and they are coming into this game on the back of six consecutive victories in all competitions. Les Parisiens have scored 25 goals in that time, and they will look to dismantle the Liverpool defence and grind out a positive result at home.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been difficult to beat in recent weeks, and they are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions. The Reds picked up wins over Manchester City and Newcastle United in their last two outings, and they have kept a clean sheet in those matches.
The Merseyside outfit will be full of confidence and momentum heading into this game, and it remains to be seen whether they can pull off an upset. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
PSG
PSG have a fully fit squad to choose from during the midweek, and they are likely to field a full strength lineup here.
PSG are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation vs Liverpool, with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal. Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes will be deployed in the full-back areas, and they will look to help out defensively and create goalscoring opportunities for their teammates going forward. Marquinhos will start alongside Willian Pachho at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Vitinha will start alongside Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz in the middle of the park. They will look to keep things compact defensively and protect the back four. The trio will look to add control and composure to the side as well.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola will look to target the Liverpool full-backs and create openings for their teammates in the final third. Finally, Ousmane Dembele will lead the line for PSG vs Liverpool on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola
Liverpool
Tyler Morton (shoulder) and Joe Gomez (hamstring) are ruled out with their respective issues. Conor Bradley picked up a knock against Aston Villa, and he will miss out as well. Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs PSG, with Alisson Becker in goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs, and they will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Ibrahima Konate will start alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch will add defensive cover and control to the side. Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates in the final third. Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will add creativity and goals from the wide areas, with Diogo Jota leading the line for Liverpool vs PSG on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota
Key Stats
- PSG have won their last six matches in all competitions.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions.
- Eight goals have been scored in the last two meetings between these two teams.
- PSG have scored 25 goals in their last six outings.
- Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in their last two matches.
Player to Watch
Ousmane Dembele
The PSG attacker is our key player to watch out for. The French international has scored 26 goals in all competitions this season, and he could cause all sorts of problems for the Liverpool defence.
Veteran defender Andrew Robertson has been quite mediocre this season, and the Frenchman could really trouble the Scottish international with his pace and flair. He will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates and find the back of the net as well.
Prediction
PSG 2-1 Liverpool
Both teams are in excellent form, and this is likely to be a close contest. Neither side like to sit back and defend, and this is likely to be an open contest with a fair few chances for either side. It is fair to assume that both teams will get on the score sheet here.
However, PSG have been in sensational form, and they have the form and momentum with them. hould be able to grind out a narrow victory at home. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Luis Enrique and his charges.
