Liverpool are ready to face Paris Saint-Germain in round two of the Champions League Round of 16 tie at Anfield. The Reds sneaked in a late 0-1 victory against Les Parisiens despite their dominance in the first-leg at their turf.
The two-legged tie is far from over, and the in-form visitors have the attacking threat to pull a few surprises. However, Liverpool struggled to find any outlet in the first-leg to relieve the pressure and hurt their high-spending French rivals.
The Reds boss, Arne Slot, will make changes to negate that particular aspect if PSG decide to dominate possession again. Furthermore, playing at Anfield gives a massive psychological boost to the team as the Kopites will play a key factor.
Liverpool vs Paris Saint-Germain: Mid-week game analysis
The Reds beat Southampton 3-1 at Anfield in the Premier League game, which was stacked between the two European ties against Les Parisiens. Liverpool secured the comeback victory after conceding a goal in the first half and lacking their usual drivenness in play.
Slot made several changes against the Saints since their 0-1 away victory against PSG, playing Kostas Tsimikas, Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez for Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister and Diogo Jota. The Dutch boss thoroughly used his substitutes to make tactical changes and, later, to keep the players fresh.
Meanwhile, PSG manager Luis Enrique made numerous changes in the Ligue one game against Rennes on Saturday. Apart from Willian Pacho, Joao Neves and Bradley Barcola, Enrique rested every first-team player who started against Liverpool. Even PSG’s goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, earned a rest to keep him fully ready for the Anfield bout.
Liverpool vs Paris Saint-Germain: Predicted lineup
PSG have all the players that played against the Reds available for the Anfield bout after they received a rest. Enrique admitted that his squad rotation against Rennes happened due to the second-leg tie, instead of any injury or fitness issue being the reason.
There is a potential for Enrique to name the same starting eleven that played in the first-leg. However, PSG are playing at Anfield, and this time, dominating possession will not come as easy as it did in their home.
PSG’s predicted starting eleven: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola
Cody Gakpo remains a doubt for the Reds, along with the long-term injured Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley. Slot could make changes in the attack after voicing his concern over the lack of outlet in the counter-attack during the last game against PSG.
The Kop Times predicted the starting eleven for Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain in the second-leg of Champions League Round of 16 at Anfield.
The Kop Times predicted the starting eleven for Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain in the second-leg of Champions League Round of 16 at Anfield.
Slot’s changes allowed Liverpool to sneak in a 0-1 result in the end, with Darwin Nunez playing a key role. Nunez could start ahead of struggling forward Jota once again due to his better hold-up play up front.
Liverpool’s predicted starting eleven: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Liverpool vs Paris Saint-Germain: Predicted scoreline
The Kop Times predict a 3-1 scoreline in favour of Liverpool against PSG at Anfield on Tuesday. The PSG attack is very strong, however, they left too much space, which Liverpool failed to exploit last time in Paris.
Furthermore, Mendes managed to keep Salah quiet, but it is too much for him to ask to do that twice in quick succession. Liverpool should capitalize on the home advantage and completely nullify PSG’s chances to cause an upset.