Liverpool are hoping to book their place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League as they take on PSG this week.
- Date: 11/03/2025
- Kick-off time: 20:00
- Location: Anfield, Liverpool
Liverpool come into this game with a 1-0 lead gained from the first leg. People involved with the club are likely still scratching their head at how they managed to come away from that game with a lead, as Arne Slot’s side were largely battered from pillar to post by the Parisians, who recorded 27 shots on target - to just 2 for Liverpool - and had 71% of the possession. Were it not for a combination of poor finishing by PSG and an all-time classic from Alisson between the sticks, the Reds would have lost by two or three. Instead, though, a late Harvey Elliott goal stole the win late on and Liverpool are now in a highly advantageous position.
They’ll need to improve drastically, though, as the tie is far from done. Playing at Anfield is a massive advantage for Liverpool but it’s not a guarantee of victory, even if they’ve got a first-leg lead. PSG were infinitely more impressive than Liverpool in the first leg and if a similar game dynamic is repeated here, Arne Slot’s side could find their Champions League campaign coming to an end.
Liverpool improved dramatically when Darwin Núñez was introduced into the fold, as Liverpool’s issue was largely that they were physically outmatched and were losing most of their duels and second balls. Liverpool will have to close the physicality gap this time around and that will almost certainly entail a change in personnel.
A good start to the game will be vital for Liverpool if they’re to quash any nerves that might be present, but if PSG go ahead first, things could get nervy.
PSG will be kicking themselves at the way the game in Paris ended last week. Some very naive defending at the death allowed Elliott to sneak in on the right hand side, but even without that, they squandered a number of good opportunities to score, with Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola seeing the best chances fall their way.
It’s important that they don’t get bogged down by their inability to turn a dominant performance into a win and play with the same amount of freedom that they did in Paris, because if they play like that again, it’s unlikely they’ll draw another blank in front of goal.
The unfortunate thing is that they’re unlikely to be that dominant again because the atmosphere will be totally different, and Liverpool will be much more emboldened. The hope for PSG will be that they can turn that in their favour, with the possibility being that a more attacking Liverpool side will leave more space for PSG’s mobile forward line to exploit.
PSG need to do what they can to quickly quash the Anfield atmosphere because if the crowd smell blood, they’ll pounce. Even with Liverpool’s lead, it really feels like any outcome is on the cards here and while the Reds are the rightful favourites, PSG are going to make life tough.
Premier League 
Ligue 1 
