Luis Enrique has played down criticism of Arne Slot and Liverpool ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League clash, insisting the tie will be “difficult.”
Enrique’s PSG are in a very different position to Liverpool heading into Wednesday’s quarter-final first leg: top of Ligue 1 with three trophies already won this season.
But despite the growing pressure around Slot, whose job could be under threat if his side exit the Champions League, the Spaniard insists he is a “very good coach.”
“We’ll try to have more of the ball than Liverpool, a very good team with quality players and a very good coach,” Enrique told reporters on Friday.
PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 19: Luis Enrique, Head Coach of Paris Saint-Germain, speaks to the media in a post match press conference after the team's victory the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Brestois 29 at Parc des Princes on February 19, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dan Mullan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
“It will be difficult. In the quarter-finals, it’s always a special match because there are only eight teams left.
“When you start to get used to being at this level, it’s great as a team. It’s definitely positive to be able to show that against Liverpool.
“What we want is to qualify. We’re aware of the difficulty, but we’re motivated. We want to enjoy playing at the Parc des Princes.”
As Slot has repeated ad nauseam since their meetings in the last season’s round of 16, PSG are renowned as one of Europe’s top football-playing sides – as well as one of the most intense.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 7, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Enrique will clearly be looking to maintain this approach on Wednesday night, though he stressed that he does not believe either side are “favourites.”
“It will be important to show this desire to play football, to enjoy the Parc des Princes, the fans, the atmosphere,” he continued.
“That’s the most important thing for us and for our supporters: to give 100 percent. After that, what will the result be? We’ll see.
“Last season, we played one of our best matches but lost. Liverpool were the favourites, and PSG qualified.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 11, 2025: Liverpool's Curtis Jones looks dejected after missing a penalty in the shoot-out during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“There are no favourites at this stage of the competition. It’s important to try to control what we can control.
“Liverpool is a very high-level team, and thinking you’re the favourite is the best way to fail.
“Knowing who the favourite is isn’t important in this competition; in these kinds of matches, it’s impossible for there to be a favourite. For me, there isn’t one.”
PSG warmed up for the visit of Liverpool with a 3-1 win over Toulouse on Friday night, with Ligue 1 having also agreed to postpone their clash with title rivals Lens on the weekend between the two legs.