Liverpool, coming off back-to-back impressive wins in the Premier League over Manchester City and Newcastle United now gets a full week to rest for their Champions League Round of 16 opponents, Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool has a strong chance versus PSG, one of France’s most star-studded teams in the last 10 years.
Boasting talents like Leo Messi, Neymar and others, PSG has fielded many stars and continues to do well in France’s Ligue 1.
PSG searching for European success
Despite that, they haven’t been able to win a Champions League, something that their owners have probably rued over the last period. You can spend all the money in the world, but winning the top prize in European football is no easy task for anyone.
Liverpool has been successful in the competition, and will do well to beat PSG as they have threatened the last decade to challenge for the European Cup.
The Reds have been able to be very successful in the Champions League’s new format this year, playing a large group stage, before knockout rounds.
Including so many more teams into a group stage allowed for more games and competition at the level it stood turned out to be a good plan.
UEFA’s plan after the supposed Super League has meant that they have kept all teams involved, and updated the coefficients involved to keep teams happy.
A balanced albeit less flashy squad
Beating teams like Girona, Lille, and Bayern Leverkusen, they have done well to continue moving towards later stages in the competition.
This current version of PSG lacks the real starpower we have come to know but they are still a talented side to handle.
PSG has players like Marquinhos and Ousmane Dembele, both of which are internationals and boast well for the team.
They play a fluid style, very according to European Football, moving between the lines very well.
Their play has been known to be possession oriented, and also very direct when moving forward.
France’s capital city team also likes to play to fee, with a large emphasis on skill and beating players to goal. This variety could serve them well against the Reds.
Can Liverpool handle them?
Liverpool will want to keep things compact and tight in defense, while being able to outwork the competition.
The team has the quality to show a good result versus PSG and that will shine through in a two legged affair. There is just too much talent on offer for Arne Slot and his staff.
Liverpool will hope to progress in the competition and keep doing well in the Premier League while they're at it.