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Liverpool are preparing for another massive Champions League night at Anfield as they take on PSG in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie.
The Reds hold a 1-0 advantage after Harvey Elliott’s late strike in Paris, but they know the job is far from over.
The first leg saw Alisson Becker put in a world-class performance, making nine crucial saves to keep Liverpool’s lead intact.
Despite the win, Arne Slot’s men struggled to deal with PSG’s aggressive counter-pressing, something they will need to handle better in the return leg.
Anfield’s atmosphere will be key, but PSG have proven they can turn ties around.
Last season, the French champions found themselves in a similar position against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.
After losing the first leg by a single goal, PSG stormed back with a dominant 4-1 victory in the second leg to qualify for the semi-finals.
That match saw plenty of controversy, and the referee that night will now be in charge at Anfield
UEFA names referee for Liverpool vs PSG fixture
Romanian Istvan Kovacs as announced by UEFA is the official referee for the match.
The 40 year old has built a reputation for handling big European matches.
PSG fans will remember him well, as he officiated their 4-1 win over Barcelona last season.
In that match, Kovacs made some huge calls, including red cards for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo and head coach Xavi.
Those decisions shifted the momentum in PSG’s favor and played a part in their comeback.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have less experience with Kovacs.
He has only refereed them once before, in the Champions League Round of 16 against Real Madrid.
That game started perfectly for the Reds, as they took a 2-0 lead.
But things quickly fell apart as Carlo Ancelotti’s side responded with five unanswered goals to flip the tie on its head.
PSG might see Kovacs’ appointment as a good omen, given their history under him.
For Liverpool, though, the focus remains on what they do best—using Anfield’s electric atmosphere to get the job done on a big European night.
Read more: Arne Slot admits team selection ‘mistake’
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