Match Start and Early Play
6 min: Early in the match, PSG dominates possession with 86%, controlling the ball extensively.
3 min: Liverpool deploy Szoboszlai as a false nine, with Ekitike and Wirtz positioned as inside forwards, an intriguing tactical setup.
PSG have settled into their typical pass-and-move style.
2 min: Liverpool are utilizing a back five formation, as predicted by TNT Sports. Wirtz is positioned close to Ekitike but on the right side.
1 min: The match kicks off from left to right. A minute's applause is observed in memory of Mircea Lucescu, who passed away yesterday at age 80.
The Head-to-Head Record
1996-97 Cup Winners’ Cup Semi-Final: PSG 3-0 Liverpool; Liverpool 0-2 PSG; PSG won 3-2 on aggregate.
2018-19 Group Stage: Liverpool 3-2 PSG; PSG 2-1 Liverpool.
2024-25 Champions League Last 16: PSG 0-1 Liverpool; Liverpool 0-1 PSG; PSG won 4-1 on penalties.
Arne Slot's Pre-Match Thoughts
I never doubt my players. I know they give their best; sometimes it’s not enough as we saw for 20 minutes at the Etihad. But they will try again today – on this stage, on every stage – to represent the Liverpool shirt in the best possible way.
[What’s the thinking behind playing a back five?] The thinking is that we are playing a team who change positions constantly, so I thought, ‘Let’s pick a line-up where people will argue what our formation is.’ We will see once the game starts. It’s obvious that we can play in different ways with the players we have on the pitch.
[On the omission of Mo Salah] It’s always difficult to leave players out who work very hard and deserve to start. Mo is definitely one of them but there are other players on the bench who have worked very hard to play. We have a number of players on the bench who can impact the game. We’re in a better place [in terms of depth] than we have been for most of the season.
Commentator Peadar de Burca notes: "Glad to see Arne is channelling his inner George Graham, who was known on occasion to squash six central defenders into a line-up if the mood took him. And yet, it was King Ferg who famously used seven defenders in his starting XI against the Gunners in the FA Cup back in 2011 and won 2-0. Not that I need to tell you that..."
The writer reflects on the alliterative confusion of the four full-backs and suggests this is not necessarily a defensive team, especially if Liverpool play a 4-2-3-1. The writer reserves the right to update this observation if Liverpool’s formation resembles 9-0-1.
Players on Yellow Cards
Paris Saint-Germain: Nuno Mendes, Kvaratskhelia
Liverpool: Van Dijk, Gravenberch, Jones
Joe Pearson expresses apprehension:
I am beset by dread, and not in the ‘I am the law’ kind of way. Although admittedly PSG are giving off ‘You’re next, punk!’ vibes. IYKYK.
Recent European Matches Context
While Arsenal secured a worthy but uneventful quarter-final first leg win at Sporting on Tuesday, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich delivered a high-octane performance filled with rapid maneuvers and dynamic play, contrasting with the cautious tactics seen at Lisbon’s Estádio José Alvalade.
Vincent Kompany commented after the intense Bernabéu match:
When I see the chances we had, that has to give us confidence that we can score more goals.Despite the victory, the 40-year-old goalkeeper earned the player of the match honors.
TNT Sports anticipates Liverpool will start with five defenders.
Lineups
Liverpool (possible 5-3-1-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Wirtz; Ekitike.
Paris Saint-Germain Team News
PSG's lineup features the return of Nuno Mendes, Marquinhos, Joao Neves, and Vitinha, replacing Lucas Hernandez, Illia Zabarnyi, Lucas Beraldo, and Lee Kang-in. Nine of the ten outfield players started in last year’s final against Internazionale. Warren Zaire-Emery covers for the injured Fabian Ruiz.
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.
Substitutes: Chevalier, Marin, Beraldo, Zabarnyi, Goncalo Ramos, Lee Kang-in, L Hernandez, Mayulu, D Fernandez, Mbaye.
Reports suggest PSG consider Fabian Ruiz’s pain threshold as sub-optimal.
Liverpool Team News: Salah on the Bench
Mo Salah is omitted from the starting XI, one of two changes from the recent defeat at the Etihad. Curtis Jones is also omitted, with Jeremie Frimpong and Alexis Mac Allister included. Alexander Isak returns to the matchday squad.
Liverpool (possible 4-1-4-1): Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike.
Substitutes: Isak, Salah, Woodman, Chiesa, Jones, Misciur, Gakpo, Robertson, Nyoni, Ngumoha.
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid is the other quarter-final first leg tonight, covered by Luke McLaughlin.
Daniel Stauss shares a rumor:
One from the rumour mill here, but my best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with a girl who said Slot would get the sack if Liverpool lose today. Any thoughts?
Current Form and Context
This tie arrives at a challenging time for Liverpool, who suffered a heavy defeat at the Etihad on Saturday, marking their 15th loss of the season and fourth in their last five away matches. While much has changed in the last year, Liverpool face an uphill battle.
On a positive note, Mohamed Salah, Jeremie Frimpong, and Federico Chiesa are available, and the £125m signing Alexander Isak might make his first squad appearance since December.
PSG have a strong record against English clubs in the Champions League, having eliminated Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal last season, and recently defeating Chelsea. Bradley Barcola sustained an injury in that tie but may return. Vitinha, João Neves, and Nuno Mendes are expected to start after coming off the bench in the recent 3-1 win against Toulouse. The prediction favors PSG to win both the first leg and the overall tie.
Coach Arne Slot's Warning
Arne Slot cautions that Liverpool could face another heavy defeat if they lose focus but believes the team can salvage their season by competing "toe-to-toe" with the European champions.
Following the FA Cup quarter-final exit, pressure mounts on Liverpool and their coach. Florian Wirtz disagreed with captain Virgil van Dijk’s harsh critique of Liverpool’s performance at the Etihad, but both Wirtz and Slot acknowledge that such a display cannot be repeated at Parc des Princes.
Reflection on Liverpool’s Status
Eleven months ago, Liverpool were favored to defeat PSG in the Champions League, as PSG finished 14 places below them in the league phase. At that time, Liverpool appeared to be Europe's best team. However, PSG prevailed on penalties after a compelling contest and have since maintained dominance.
Currently, Liverpool are not peaking but struggling, with inconsistent results making their season appear chaotic. After a promising start at the Etihad, Liverpool’s form has faltered. If morale declines rapidly tonight, the situation could worsen.
However, Liverpool’s resilience was evident in Istanbul previously, where the atmosphere and music inspired the players, especially when they were underdogs. Arne Slot hopes for a similar uplift in Paris.
