UEFA Champions League
Liverpool vs PSG Preview
Liverpool vs PSG is the biggest fixture in the first game-week of the 2018-19 UCL campaign. Two footballing giants will go head to head as ‘Les Parisiens’ travel to Anfield and take on a fierce opponent in Liverpool. The two sides aren’t very familiar with each other. In fact they have met only twice before in competition and that dates back to the 1996/97 season. Although they haven’t faced each other all that much, both sides can expect an extremely tough test.
According to PSG captain Thiago Silva, Liverpool and PSG have the 2 best attacks in world football. The captain quoted-
“You are looking at probably the 2 strongest forward lines in club football. Three attackers on each side that can entertain and provide a threat throughout the match as well.”
One is inclined to agree given the talent and also goal scoring exploits of both the teams. Liverpool come off the back of a tremendous UCL run last season. They made it all the way to final but lost to a dominant Real Madrid side. They’ll be looking to go all the way this time around. PSG however, have suffered from systemic imbalances from time to time. Hence they haven’t really managed to establish themselves as a dominant force in Europe.
Squad Updates And Form
Liverpool suffered a major scare against Spurs in the league when Roberto Firmino received a rather unpleasant poke to the eye by Jan Vertonghen. He has missed a training session ahead of the huge game against PSG. He did confirm however that it was a scare and he will be fine. A huge relief for the Liverpool faithful. He might still feature though. Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dejan Lovren will most certainly miss the game though as they are injured for a sustained period of time.
PSG will have to travel without Marco Verratti in the squad as he is suspended. A blow for the French giants. Fullbacks Dani Alves and Laywin Kurzawa are out injured for a considerable amount of time. Thomas Tuchel however has confirmed that Neymar will play to the delight of the PSG fans.
Both teams are in great form ahead of the game with each side racking up 5 wins out 5 in their opening league games. Klopp and Tuchel will field their full strength sides to get a result no matter what.
Ones To Watch
Both teams have their deadly attacking trios to rely upon. Liverpool have the in form Sadio Mane and obviously Mo Salah who is still a major threat despite his slow start to the season. Roberto Firmino will grab the spotlight as well should he make an appearance.
PSG however have the explosive pace, creativity and technique in Neymar and World Cup winning teen sensation Kylian Mbappe. The duo has a lethal finisher in Edinson Cavani to round off the attack.
Interesting Facts And Predictions
- The most recent clash between the two sides was a 2-0 victory to Liverpool. Robbie Fowler and Mark Wright were on the scoresheet for the Reds.
- Paris Saint Germain are taking part in their 7th consecutive Champions League campaign.
- PSG are winless in their last 4 UCL games against English opposition (D3,L1)
- Liverpool are meeting a French side in the UCL for the first time since the 2009/10 season when they met Lyon.
- Last season Liverpool became the first team to have three different goalscorers rack up 10 goals each in a single European cup campaign. (Salah, Mane, Firmino)
This game will be extremely well contested and a treat for all the viewers. It also has the potential to be a high scoring match. Although if pressed to predict a winner, one would tip Liverpool to take the game. Simply due to the frightening atmosphere at Anfield and the team’s consistently terrific form at home.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-2 PSG
Photo credit to Dickson Dagogo via Flickr
