European football! Anfield, under the lights, the terrifying roar of the Kop and the unmistakable sound of that famous Champions League theme tune will set the scene for what promises to be an enthralling encounter between two of the most exciting teams in the competition. It’s the battle of the ex-Dortmund managers as Klopp takes on Tuchel, and Liverpool do battle with PSG.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
Both teams come into this match in excellent form, Liverpool sharing a 5 out of 5 record with their French counterparts. Liverpool are the team who come into this match more likely to be affected by fatigue after an energy-sapping 2-1 win at Wembley against top six rivals Tottenham on Saturday. PSG, on the other hand, recorded a 4-0 win on Friday evening against Saint Etienne, resting crucial players such as Gianluigi Buffon, Marquinhos, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the process. The Parisians were able to make changes and still be confident in their ability to win the match, such is their dominance in Ligue 1. Every year, the question is asked about whether PSG are finally ready to win the Champions League, and while they have been criticised for failing to do so to date, I have some sympathy with them, as a string of refereeing decisions has been influential in their 2017 and 2018 exits to Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively. With this being the second year of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar being at PSG, as well as the additions of experienced European players such as Buffon and Bernat, there is a lot of expectation on the seven-time French champions to add the European Cup to their trophy cabinet. As for Liverpool, their unlikely run to the final in Kiev has reignited Kopites’ love for this tournament and there is genuine belief that the wait for a sixth Champions League win could end soon. To fulfil their dreams of ending the Real Madrid dominance though, both sides will first have to navigate their way through a rock-solid Group C, also containing every football hipster’s club, Napoli, and Marko Grujic’s former side Red Star Belgrade. While last year the Reds were drawn into a more comfortable group, this year they have been dropped right into the Group of Death. This is a far greater challenge, but also a thrilling prospect, and an opportunity to lay down markers against some of Europe’s best teams.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
Liverpool haven’t faced PSG for over 20 years, when the Reds recorded a 2-0 win in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1997, with goals from Robbie Fowler and Mark Wright. The last time Liverpool faced French opposition was in 2015, in the Europa League group stage, drawing 1-1 away at Bordeaux and notching a 2-1 win at home, with goals from Adam Lallana, James Milner and Christian Benteke. However, the Reds haven’t taken on a French team in the Champions League since the 2009/10 season, when Lyon piled the pressure on Rafael Benitez by scoring injury time goals in both Group E fixtures. A 2-1 win at Anfield despite a goal from Yossi Benayoun putting Liverpool in front, and a 1-1 draw away from home in a match that saw Ryan Babel give Benitez’s team the lead were ultimately key to Liverpool’s Group Stage exit that year. In terms of records in the opening match of this competition, PSG kicked off with a 5-0 win away at Celtic last year, while Liverpool were left to rue defensive mistakes and missed chances in a 2-2 draw with Sevilla. Interestingly, both teams’ runs in the competition last year were ended by eventual winners Real Madrid.
Thinking about Liverpool’s selection, Klopp went extremely strong in the Champions League last season right from the off, and with a much harder group this time round, he will surely replicate this approach. This period of games between now and the next international games will see subtle rotation in each game, and so these predicted XIs will become increasingly difficult over the next few weeks. Last season there was a distinction in goal between Premier League and Champions League, but there should be no doubt that Alisson will start this one, and all the major fixtures this season. I actually think Klopp will keep faith with the back four that has served him so well up until this point. I have predicted that Jordan Henderson will start this match, as I think having his long diagonal balls could be useful against a PSG team with a weakness at left back. Partnering Henderson with Milner and Wijnaldum means there is a midfield full of energy and work rate, which I am hoping will overrun PSG’s technical midfield, who will be stunned by the pressing of those three. Naby Keita from the bench is an excellent option, as is Fabinho, who played against PSG many times for Monaco. The front three remains unchanged for this game, but if Roberto Firmino doesn’t recover from his eye injury in time, Daniel Sturridge will probably take his place. This would be a massive chance for Sturridge and performing against the top-class centre backs that PSG have would be a huge coup. Another option would be to play Shaqiri as a false nine, or push Shaqiri to the right hand side, and play Salah through the middle.
It would’ve been an absolute pleasure to see Gianluigi Buffon play at Anfield on Tuesday. Buffon, Casillas, De Gea and Lloris – we’re only missing Neuer and Oblak and then we’ll have had all the elite keepers of recent years take to the Anfield turf. Maybe in a few years Alisson can join that list… Probably the greatest goalkeeper of my generation, it would’ve only served to make the occasion more special. However, he will be unavailable for selection due to suspension, which is from his red card in Juventus’ exit to Real Madrid last season which has carried over, ruling him out of this clash. As a result, Alphonse Areola will start this match. Thomas Meunier is a fabulous right back and it always amazes me that the Premier League’s big boys have never gone in for him. He will be joined in defence by the Brazilian duo of Thiago Silva and Marquinhos – a formidable partnership. There is much to be said for centre back duos of the same nationality – think Alderweireld and Vertonghen for Tottenham/Belgium, Hummels and Boateng for Bayern/Germany, Chiellini, Bonucci and Barzagli for Juventus/Italy, Godin and Gimenez for Atletico/Uruguay. Juan Bernat is a summer recruit from Bayern Munich and the Spanish left back could be a weakness – he doesn’t fill me with confidence, particularly in challenges and aerial duels. Liverpool have been heavily linked with creative midfielder Adrien Rabiot and it will be interesting to see how he performs in a midfield packed with technical ability. Marco Verratti is an absolute joy to behold, one of the great midfielders in the game and a player who was born to play for Barcelona. However, he finds himself in a similar situation to Buffon, with a red card in PSG’s exit to Real Madrid last season ensuring he won’t be available for this tie. Manager Thomas Tuchel may opt to play Lassana Diarra as a 6, or could even revert to playing Marquinhos in a defensive midfield role. Angel Di Maria will play as a 10 in a fluid formation which can be 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 dependent on possession. Di Maria is sure to get a warm reception from the crowd as an ex-Manchester United player and will look to target pockets of spaces that crop up. PSG’s front three is just as frightening as Liverpool’s. Edinson Cavani is a striker who has his critics but his goal record is superb, and the Uruguayan is flanked by two of the game’s great talents. Neymar can be a frustrating figure but has daft amounts of ability and seeing him play at Anfield for Brazil in June was a great experience. On the other side, there is Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe is only 19 but is already a world class player and will almost certainly be the best player in the world in the next five years. The wonderkid is on a trajectory like no other, he is a generational talent and it will be an honour to see him at Anfield, knowing what he will go onto achieve. PSG’s bench is strong but youthful and may lack the experience Tuchel needs to get a result in this game.
This will be a feisty, exciting and intense match which as a neutral, will be a stunning spectacle. With the crowd behind them, Liverpool are probably slight favourites. I really can’t separate the two sides at all, which is why I’ve plumped for a draw – though no result here would really surprise me. Liverpool will need to be on the front foot because at some point in the game PSG are going to have consistent spells of possession which Klopp’s team will need to absorb and manage. The leadership of Van Dijk, Henderson and Milner will be crucial to getting a result in this game. In terms of stopping Mbappe, Cavani and Neymar, it is very difficult but not impossible. The one weakness of Mbappe’s game is experiential – a lack of awareness of staying onside. With this in mind, expect Liverpool to play quite a high line. Liverpool need to limit Cavani’s chances as much as possible, as his conversion rate is nothing special, usually needing a few chances to score. Neymar is the anomaly and places a lot of pressure on Alexander-Arnold, but a test he is up to. Stopping the front three doesn’t stop PSG though, as their midfield is graceful and creative, with tonnes of talent – even if Julian Draxler and Angel Di Maria don’t start. The best thing about all this though? PSG will be thinking exactly the same about us. This is a great chance for Liverpool to show what they’re made of. Fasten your seatbelts, this could be quite a ride.
Predicted XIs
Liverpool: (4-3-3) Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Subs: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Fabinho, Keita, Shaqiri, Sturridge.
PSG: (4-3-3) Areola; Meunier, Silva, Marquinhos, Bernat; Diarra, Rabiot, Di Maria; Mbappe, Cavani, Neymar
Subs: Sibois, Kimpembe, Kehrer, Draxler, Nkunku, Chupo-Moting, Diaby
Score Prediction
Liverpool 2-2 PSG
Daniel Daykin
Daniel Daykin
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I am predicting 2-1 to Liverpool…..I think playing this match at Anfield just gives Liverpool the edge. Like you say this should be a treat to watch as a neutral.
Thanks for the detail in this article- it’s a good read.