Liverpool v PSG: Line-ups, stats and preview

As they attempt a daunting-looking comeback in the Champions League, Liverpool’s priority is to improve upon the possession total of 24% they achieved at Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their quarter-final, head coach Arne Slot says.

PSG had all seven attempts on target between the teams last Wednesday, winning 2-0 through Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s strikes to put themselves on course to reach a semi-final against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

“If we have the ball more, then it’s nice to have attacking threat on the pitch,” said Slot. “That’s what we will have.

“We know we need an exceptional performance to go through to the next round, but that’s completely normal if you face the [reigning] champions of Europe and you’re 2-0 down.”

Ominously for Liverpool, PSG coach Luis Enrique says the 36-goal top scorers in this season’s competition are intent on scoring as they pursue wins at Anfield in successive seasons.

“It will be a very close game,” the Spaniard predicted. “One of our clear strengths is preparing for each match in the same way, whether we’ve won or lost.

“We won the first match but we’re going to try to win the second. We know how difficult it is to play in a stadium like that, but it’s also a motivation to overcome their pressure and win.

“The difference is that they need to score, so they’ll leave space. We know how to manage it, but we love attacking the gaps.”

Liverpool v PSG team news

PSG will make a late decision on whether Bradley Barcola can start as the winger continues his comeback from a long-term ankle injury.

Midfielder Fabian Ruiz has a knee problem. Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes will incur suspensions if they are booked.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker (hamstring), full-back Conor Bradley (knee) and midfielder Wataru Endo (ankle) are sidelined. Midfielder Curtis Jones is a doubt (groin).

Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Virgil Van Dijk are each a booking away from bans in the competition.

Liverpool vs= PSG predicted line-ups

Liverpool starting XI: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike

PSG starting XI: Matvei Safonov, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Warren Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Where to watch PSG v Liverpool: TV channel, live online streams

Kick-off on Tuesday is at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). Live TV coverage in the UK is on Prime Video.

A Prime Video membership is £8.99 per month or £95 per year paid annually, with a half-price offer for fans aged between 18 and 22.

A 30-day free trial is available.

Stats for Liverpool v Paris Saint-Germain

• None of the seven meetings between Liverpool (3 wins) and PSG (4) in all competitions have been drawn, with two of the Reds’ three wins coming at home
• Liverpool have 24 goals from an expected goals (xG) total of 27.8 in the Champions League this season, representing the biggest underperformance of any of the remaining sides (3.8)
• This will be the fifth time Liverpool have hosted the Champions League holders, losing each of the first three (twice to Real Madrid and once to Barcelona) but winning the most recent and only one they have played under Arne Slot (2-0 against Real Madrid in November 2024)
• Liverpool have lost four games in the Champions League this season, which is their joint-most in a single campaign (also 2006/07 and 2018/19)
• The last time they lost four was 2018/19, which was also a season in which they went on to win the trophy and is the only campaign in which they’ve overturned a deficit of two or more goals from the first leg to progress (vs Barcelona in the semi-finals)
• PSG could become the third side to win consecutive away games against Liverpool in European competition after Barcelona and Atalanta, with neither of those doing so in back-to-back campaigns
• Before this season’s quarter-finals, there have been 17 occasions of a team being eliminated from the Champions League knockout stages despite having a first-leg lead of at least two goals. PSG have been on the receiving end of this more than any other side (three times)
• PSG lead all teams in the Champions League this season for goals scored (36), total shots (259), shots on target (96) and touches in the opposition box (486)
• Only Atletico Madrid (9.9) and Barcelona (8.9) have overperformed their xG more than PSG this term (8.4 – 36 goals from 27.6)
• Achraf Hakimi could move into PSG top five appearance makers in the competition, standing level on 54 with Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani. Only Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise (6) has provided more assists than Hakimi (5) in the competition this season

Liverpool v PSG prediction

Liverpool 2-2 PSG

Liverpool have 10 goals in their last two Champions League home matches and face an imperative to attack, with few sides better poised to capitalise on an open game than PSG, who are averaging almost three goals a match in their title defence.