Paris Saint-Germain will be without Fabian Ruiz against Liverpool, as the midfielder reportedly refuses to play due to a knee injury the club think has passed.
It has been nearly four months since Ruiz last played for PSG, due to a knee injury with which the 30-year-old has been suffering.
L’Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi reports that Ruiz’s absence is beginning to cause frustration at the club, with some believing the injury has already healed.
Ruiz disputes that, though, with Tanzi saying: “There is one certainty, it’s what he says and that he repeats, that as long as he is in pain and suffering, he doesn’t want to play.
“He doesn’t want to train at the slightest pain.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 11, 2025: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai (L) challenges for a header with Paris Saint-Germain's Fabián Ruiz during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield. The tie ended 1-1 on aggregate, PSG won 4-1 on penalties. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Luis Enrique didn’t emit any of the reported frustrations, when asked about the situation on Tuesday, explaining: “We have to wait for the player.
“There’s no problem. We’re trying to get the players back as soon as possible. We’re still focused on giving the player confidence. Fabian hasn’t trained with the group yet.
“He has made a lot of progress and we’re happy because he seems to be on the right track, but he still needs to do a little more.”
As a Spain international, Ruiz will surely know that he needs to get back on the pitch ahead of his nation’s World Cup squad being selected.
However, he is clearly at odds with the club about his fitness and is taking a more conservative approach to his return, possibly with said World Cup in mind.
PSG team news & possible XI
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, March 5, 2025: Paris Saint-Germain players line-up for a team group photograph before the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg game between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes. Back row L-R: Willian Pacho, Fabián Ruiz, captain Marcos Aoás Corrêa 'Marquinhos', goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, Bradley Barcola. Front row L-R: João Neves, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Vítor Machado Ferreira 'Vitinha', Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé. (Photo by UEFA)
With Ruiz not in the squad, Warren Zaire-Emery should play alongside Vitinha and Joao Neves in midfield against Liverpool.
The latter two were rested for Friday’s 3-1 win over Toulouse, as was Nuno Mendes who will start at left-back and likely face Mo Salah.
Enrique will go with Achraf Hakimi as his other right-back, while Willian Pacho and Marquinhos are expected to start at centre-back.
In attack, PSG have a wealth of options, especially given the return of Bradley Barcola from injury.
Despite him recently rejoining training, the French winger is more likely to start on the bench, as an attacking trio of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue play instead.
Possible PSG XI: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia