PSG

With Ligue 1 well and truly in the bag, the reigning Champions League champions can focus all their attention on defending their European crown. Furthermore, they will not be playing a match over the weekend between the first and second legs, as Ligue 1 has postponed their league fixture. This means Luis Enrique will be able to focus 100% on this tie against Liverpool.

If we add to this the fact that the Parisians played on Friday, they have had an extra day’s rest compared to their opponents. Consequently, the Spanish manager is expected to field his strongest line-up. Although everyone considers PSG the clear favourites to reach the Champions League semi-finals, Luis Enrique knows that the return leg at Anfield Road will be a tough affair and will not let his players relax for a single moment.

PSG players injured for the Champions League quarter-finals

Barcelona, Mayulu, Fabián Ruiz and Ndjantou

PSG players suspended for the Champions League quarter-finals

PSG have no suspended players for this match.

PSG’s latest results

• PSG 1-3 Monaco
• PSG 5-2 Chelsea
• Chelsea 0-3 PSG
• Nice 0-4 PSG
• PSG 3-1 Toulouse

Liverpool

The ‘Reds’, for their part, are playing for almost their entire season in the Champions League. It is the only title they can win, as in the Premier League they are only aiming to finish in the top five to qualify for next season’s edition of Europe’s premier competition. This weekend they were thrashed by Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals, so the team will be feeling the effects of that defeat.

Therefore, the priority for Arne Slot is to lift his players’ spirits. They have quality, but they are not in the right frame of mind and that is showing in their collective performance. Furthermore, he will be without key players, such as Alisson in goal. The key will be to keep the tie alive, as with the magic of Anfield Road, anything is possible in the second leg.

Liverpool players injured for the Champions League quarter-finals

Alisson, Bajcetic, Endo, Bradley, Alexander Isak and Leoni

Liverpool players suspended for the Champions League quarter-finals

Liverpool have no suspended players for this match.

Liverpool’s latest results

• Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
• Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham
• Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray
• Brighton 2-1 Liverpool
• Manchester City 4-0 Liverpool

PSG v Liverpool: statistics

PSG are in fine form. This is demonstrated by their last four consecutive victories, in which they have scored 15 goals. Furthermore, in two of those four wins, they kept a clean sheet. Liverpool, by contrast, arrive with many doubts. Their last two defeats away from Anfield Road highlight their poor form on the road. Arne Slot’s side have lost four of their last five away games.

PSG - Liverpool: predictions

The form of the teams going into the match makes PSG clear favourites. It is true that the return leg at Anfield Road offers Liverpool hope, but to do so they must keep the tie alive. In this first leg, it is almost unthinkable that Luis Enrique’s side will not win. The key to the tie will be the advantage the Parisians secure ahead of the return fixture. Anything other than a PSG victory would be a major surprise.