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In their first Champions League match since the heartbreaking defeat to Real Madrid in the final, Liverpool will host powerhouse Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. Although Jürgen Klopp’s side have put together an impressive winning run to start the Premier League campaign, Tom Tuchel’s star-studded squad have match that sprint - they likewise have five wins out of five.
In their tune-up match prior to visiting Anfield, PSG strolled to a 4-0 victory over Saint-Etienne, powered by goals from Julian Draxler, Angel Di Maria, and Edinson Cavani. Kylian Mbappé was suspended for this match, while Neymar was rested, so expect both to feature and be fresh on Tuesday. Overall, Tuchel’s side has netted seventeen times in their domestic league, conceding only four. They are expected to progress easily from Group C.
Nonetheless, Tuchel is wary of the threat that Liverpool at Anfield can pose. He knows from personal experience, having managed Borussia Dortmund when Dejan Lovren’s late, late, header shockingly sent the Bundesliga side tumbling out of the Europa League on an unforgettable night for Reds supporters. So he may not be simply paying lip service when he advises caution.
“We know that Anfield is one of the toughest trips in Europe,” said Tuchel. “Saint-Etienne was a good rehearsal.”
“It was good for our confidence ahead of Tuesday’s match at Anfield against Liverpool. It will be a big test for us.”
One name who will not be in the starting XI for PSG on Tuesday is Marco Verratti, who is suspended owing to a red card from last season’s Champions League campaign. The Italy international is nonetheless echoing the sentiments of his boss.
“Before Liverpool it’s good as we won all our games, but Liverpool will be different,” he noted. “They are a team who play very well at home. They have experience in the Champions League as they reached the final last season.”
It should be an interesting contest, as both sides are well-stocked with goalscoring threat, and will look to establish the upper hand in the group.