PSG vs Liverpool – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

PSG host Liverpool at the Parc Des Princes in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night.

The Parisians have played against Liverpool six times in the past and the results are finely balanced with three wins for each team.

PSG vs Liverpool – Match preview and team news

PSG team news

Luis Enrique faces a significant selection blow as star winger Bradley Barcola has been officially ruled out for this first-leg encounter.

Although Barcola made a tentative return to training earlier this week following an ankle sprain, the coaching staff has opted for a conservative approach to ensure he reaches 100% fitness for the latter stages of the competition.

The Parisian giants are also continuing to cope without the services of Fabian Ruiz, who has been out of action since January with a serious knee injury, and Quentin Ndjantou, who remains unavailable for selection.

On a more positive note, the squad should benefit from fresh legs in midfield and defence; Enrique opted to rest Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Nuno Mendes during their weekend victory over Toulouse, signalling their almost certain inclusion in tonight’s starting eleven.

The tactical setup will likely rely on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele to lead the line in Barcola’s absence.

PSG has disciplinary concerns to manage, as both Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes are currently walking a tightrope with suspensions and would miss the second leg if they receive a booking tonight at the Parc des Princes.

Liverpool team news

Alexander Isak, the Swedish international forward has been included in Arne Slot’s 21-man travelling squad, marking his first appearance in a matchday setup since suffering a fractured leg in December.

While his presence provides a massive psychological boost for the Reds, Slot has tempered expectations by confirming that while Isak is fit enough to feature, he will not be in the starting lineup tonight.

The squad depth is further bolstered by the availability of Mohamed Salah, Federico Chiesa, and Jeremie Frimpong, all of whom successfully returned to action during the recent weekend clash against Manchester City.

However, the medical room remains busy; Liverpool is still navigating a significant injury list that includes starting goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Wataru Endo.

Longer-term absentees such as Conor Bradley, who is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury, and Giovanni Leoni, recovering from an ACL tear, remain sidelined alongside Stefan Bajcetic.

Adding to the tactical tension, key pillars Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Curtis Jones must play with caution, as a single yellow card tonight would see them suspended for the crucial return leg at Anfield.

Form

PSG

PSG are on a four-match winning streak, which includes an 8-2 aggregate win against Chelsea and a 3-1 win in their last outing against Toulouse in the Ligue 1. They have scored 15 goals during this run while conceding just three and keeping two clean sheets.

Liverpool

Liverpool come into this match after back-to-back defeats against Brighton (1-2) and Manchester City (0-4). They have lost four matches and drawn one in their last seven matches, winning just two during this period. This slump has seen them fall to fifth in the Premier League, 21 points adrift of the top.

Predicted lineups

PSG: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia

Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike

How to watch PSG vs Liverpool?

You can watch PSG vs Liverpool in the UK on TNT Sports 1. It is also available to stream on HBO Max in the UK.

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