This Tuesday, April 14th, Paris Saint-Germain faces Liverpool at Anfield (kick-off at 9 pm, CET) in the second leg of their 2025-2026 Champions League quarter-final (2-0 in the first leg). And as before every match, here’s a look at PSG’s opponent.
Liverpool’s situation –
After Jürgen Klopp’s long tenure as manager (2015-2024), he decided to take on a new challenge, becoming the global head of football for the Red Bull group. Having won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020, among other titles, he left a significant mark on the game, and this influence is evident in Arne Slot’s tenure.
Slot made an excellent start to the new generation last season, notably winning the league title. There was also a superb run in the Champions League, before being eliminated in the round of 16 on penalties by PSG. However, this defeat damaged their momentum, and the Reds spent heavily during the summer transfer window to strengthen the squad. However, this hasn’t translated into a collective success. Liverpool are currently fifth in the Premier League, 18 points behind Arsenal (first), were quickly eliminated from the League Cup (0-3 against Crystal Palace), and suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat against Manchester City in the FA Cup.
Summer Transfer Window 2025 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Winter Transfer Window 2025/2026 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
None.
Arrivals
Key statistics –
This season, Liverpool boasts the 5th best attack in the Premier League with 50 goals scored (Arsenal leads with 61, and Wolverhampton trails with 24), and is among the 7th best defenses with 42 goals conceded (Arsenal has the best defense with 22 goals conceded, Burnley trails with 61).
The Reds’ top scorer is Hugo Ekitike (23-year-old striker), with 11 goals, ranking him 6th in the league (Erling Haaland leads with 22 goals). Mohamed Salah (33-year-old winger) is the club’s top assist provider with 6 assists, ranking him 4th in the Premier League (Bruno Fernandes leads with 16 assists).
Liverpool’s Last 5 Matches –
Only Liverpool’s possession is shown, and their shots are listed first (when data is available).
March 18, 2025 (Champions League) – Liverpool/Galatasaray: 4-0. Playing a 4-3-3 formation. 56% possession. 28 shots, 16 on target, compared to 2 shots (1 on target).
March 21, 2025 (Premier League) – Brighton/Liverpool: 2-1. Playing a 4-4-2 diamond formation. 53% possession. 11 shots, 5 on target, compared to 16 shots (6 on target).
April 4, 2025 (FA Cup) – Manchester City/Liverpool: 4-0. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 50% possession. 13 shots, 6 on target, versus 12 shots (7 on target).
April 8, 2025 (Champions League) – PSG/Liverpool: 2-0. Playing a 3-5-2 formation. 74% possession. 17 shots, 7 on target, versus 3 shots (0 on target).
11/04/2025 (Premier League) – Liverpool/Fulham: 2-0. In a 4-2-3-1 formation. 53% possession. 15 shots, 5 on target, against 15 shots (4 on target).
The squad and probable lineup.
Goalkeepers – Mamardashvili, Woodman, Misciur.
Defenders – Van Dijk, Konaté, Gomez, Kerkez, Frimpong, Robertson.
Midfielders – Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones, Nyoni.
Forwards – Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike, Isak, Gakpo, Chiesa, Ngumoha.
Unavailable – Alisson, Bradley, Endo, Leoni, Bajcetic (injury).
The team predicted by the press in a 4-2-3-1:
Ekitike
Wirtz – Szoboszlai – Salah
Mac Allister – Gravenberch
Kerkez – Van Dijk – Konaté – Gomez
Mamardashvili
Liverpool’s playing style.
Capable of pressing high or playing more compactly, Liverpool doesn’t necessarily seek to dominate possession. This was evident in the first leg, even though coach Arne Slot primarily emphasized PSG’s strengths. We’ll have to wait and see if the Reds will want to play a particularly high line against PSG, given the manager’s emphasis on the risks. But there’s also the two-goal deficit to overcome.
Last season, Liverpool were outplayed at the Parc des Princes before responding well (in terms of their play) at Anfield. Beware of this kind of football, which can change very quickly. We expect a very intense start, and it’s up to PSG to find a way to quell the English side’s enthusiasm. This could be through possession or a goal. Ideally, of course, both.
