The Champions League returns tonight and straight away, we have some intriguing fixtures to look forward to. Last season’s finalists, Liverpool, will take on Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield and judging by the quality and the way the two teams have started their domestic season, we could be in for a humdinger of a contest.
Both Liverpool and PSG have won their opening five fixtures in the domestic league. All the focus will be on the two teams’ attacking trio, however. Liverpool stormed to the final last season after their front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah were simply unstoppable and they’ll be a handful for the PSG defence.
PSG themselves have a fearsome front three with many seeing Mbappe as the next player to dominate the Ballon d’Or. Edinson Cavani is in pretty good form as well, so they will be hard to stop.
Liverpool vs PSG – Team News
Roberto Firmino is a slight doubt for the Reds after taking more than a poke in his eye this past weekend. The Brazilian had to be taken off after that incident against Tottenham.
Mbappe and Neymar sat the last game in the league and are expected to return for the away side.
Liverpool vs PSG – Probable Lineups
Liverpool probable playing XI: Alisson, Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, TAA, Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita, Mane, Sturridge, Salah
PSG probable playing XI: Buffon, Bernat, Silva, Kimpembe, Meunier, Rabiot, Marquinhos, Verratti, Mbappe, Cavani, Neymar
Liverpool vs PSG – Key Battles
Kylian Mbappe vs Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool’s setup will see Any Robertson pushing ahead and even though the Scot is pretty disciplined defensively, Virgil van Dijk will have to cover for him when Mbappe gets the ball. The two were at it when the Netherlands travelled to France for the UEFA Nations game and it was a pretty even contest.
Daniel Sturridge vs Thiago Silva
If Firmino doesn’t play, there will be a lot of pressure on Daniel Sturridge whose first start will be against a quality defence. Thiago Silva is a man mountain at the back and Sturridge will have to use his clever turns and flicks to get the better of the Brazilian. Unlike Firmino, who tends to drop deeper, Sturridge is a player who spends more of his time trying to get in behind the defence, so it will be an interesting battle.
Liverpool vs PSG – Odds
Liverpool: 11/10
Draw: 11/4
PSG: 23/10