A thrilling Champions League encounter awaits as Paris Saint-Germain welcomes Liverpool to Parc des Princes for the first leg of their last-16 battle. With both teams carrying immense pedigree and star power, the stakes are incredibly high.
Liverpool topped the league phase standings with dominant performances, while PSG had to fight their way through, securing their place with an emphatic 10-0 aggregate win over Brest in the playoffs. Now, the French champions aim to end their last-16 curse, which has seen them eliminated at this stage in five of the last eight seasons.
Under Luis Enrique, PSG has transitioned from a superstar-laden squad to a more balanced, youthful team. They have been unstoppable domestically, sitting 13 points clear at the Ligue 1 summit. Their five-game winning streak in the Champions League further highlights their resurgence, but they now face a much tougher challenge.
Liverpool, under Arne Slot, has been near flawless in Europe. Despite a late group-stage loss to PSV Eindhoven, the Reds dominated the competition and are currently leading the Premier League with a comfortable cushion.
On the injury front, PSG has a fully fit squad, giving Enrique multiple selection options. The experienced Marquinhos is set to make his 100th Champions League start, a remarkable milestone. Liverpool, meanwhile, will be missing a few squad players, but their main stars are all available for this high-stakes showdown.
With both teams boasting world-class talent, this clash promises fireworks. PSG’s impressive form at home gives them confidence, but Liverpool’s efficiency in big European nights cannot be overlooked. A tight contest is expected, but Liverpool might just edge it with a narrow 2-1 victory, setting up a thrilling second leg at Anfield.