Paris-Liverpool: A classic match

ROAD TO THE LAST-16

With seven wins out of seven to start the league phase, Liverpool laid down the law to all of Europe during this Champions League campaign. Already guaranteed top spot, a largely-rotated Reds team lost 3-2 away to PSV Eindhoven in their final dead rubber. Before that, the Premier League leaders had defeated AC Milan (1-3), Leipzig (0-1), Leverkusen (4-0) and Real Madrid (2-0), conceding just one goal along the way. These exceptional results have naturally made LFC one of the favourites for the title.

For their part, Paris Saint-Germain got to the last-16 via a more circuitous route. After initially struggling with defeats to Atlético Madrid (1-2) and Bayern Munich (1-0), the club from the French capital rose to the occasion when the pressure was on, overturning Salzburg (0-3), Manchester City (4-2) and then Stuttgart (1-4), clinching a 15th place finish, synonymous with the play-offs. The Reds went straight into the last-16, unlike Brest, the last European side to suffer at the hands of Les Rouge et Bleu’s rediscovered form. After winning the first leg in Brittany (0-3), Les Parisiens recorded a searing 7-0 win at the Parc des Princes to book their place in the last-16.

THE FORM IN NUMBERS

OPPOSITION STRENGTHS

Arne Slot and his team mainly play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which can quickly switch to a 4-3-3. In goal, the last line of defence for the Seleção, Alisson, is playing his 7th season with the Reds. Regularly considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, he should be accompanied by another pillar of the English club just in front of him, in the form of Virgil van Dijk. Having just passed the milestone of 300 matches in a Liverpool shirt, the Reds captain should be alongside a familiar face to French football fans: Ibrahima Konaté.

The France international has been climbing through the ranks, as high as recently wearing the captain's armband for Les Bleus and establishing himself as one of the best in his position in the Premier League. But the Reds' defence also shines thanks to its outstanding full-backs. The Trent Alexander-Arnold/Andrew Robertson pairing has stood out as one of the most successful in world football for several seasons now. Beyond their proven offensive qualities, the two British full-backs seem to have strengthened their defensive skills as well. With Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley injured, the English rearguard that will start on the pitch at the Parc seems to pick itself.

In midfield, too, the choice seems clear. While Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott are trying to create headaches for their Dutch coach, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis MacAllister still appear first choice. Together, they form a duo that dominates the centre of the park, both technical and hard-working. That allows Dominik Szoboszlai (7 goals and 6 assists in all competitions this season) to play a notch higher when in possession, and fully exploit his passing quality and vision to serve his teammates in attack.

An attack that should once again be focused on Mohamed Salah (30 goals, 22 assists): unstoppable on the right wing since the start of the season, and who leaves no chance for Federico Chiesa to get a look in. At the other end of the pitch, the hugely important Luis Díaz (13 goals, 4 assists) is expected to play, while Cody Gakpo (16 goals, 5 assists) could make an appearance off the bench. Finally, at the tip of the attack, Liverpool also has options. Coach Slot will have to choose between Darwin Núñez (6 goals, 5 assists) and Diogo Jota (8 goals, 3 assists). Whoever they choose on Wednesday night, Paris know they will be taking on one of the strongest starting XIs in world football…