Paris Saint-Germain approaches Wednesday’s Champions League tie in an envious position and doesn’t have any injuries or suspensions to deal with, although three players are at risk of being banned for the second leg if they’re booked at the Parc des Princes.
It means the PSG manager Luis Enrique, who has overseen a 22-match unbeaten run for this side, has plenty of options to choose from. “It is true that we are in the best moment of the season. We hope to continue that way,” he warned ahead of the first leg in Paris.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to start for PSG, although the Italian hasn’t always looked like a safe pair of hands in the Champions League over recent years.
In defense, Achraf Hakimi will provide a unique threat and has created more chances and provided more assists than any other defender in the competition this season. On the other flank Nuno Mendes will probably start, while Marquinhos is a shoo-in to start at center-back – the PSG captain hasn’t missed a single minute of Champions League football this season.
But who partners him is less certain. Willian Pacho has started all 10 Champions League matches this term but has dropped out of the side in recent weeks. Enrique has selected Lucas Beraldo in all of the last three games and could do the same against Liverpool.
In midfield, it will likely be three of Vitinha, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz and Desire Doue. Of the quartet, the latter has played the least of the quartet in the Champions League this season but has been named in the starting line-up in the last four league games and was chosen in the first leg against Brest. Doue provided a goal and assist in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Lille.
But the big threat for PSG is Ousmane Dembele. The former Barcelona star has scored 26 goals this season, including six in his last four Champions League outings.
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“If you look at the quality Dembele brings to the team at the moment, it is very impressive,” said Slot ahead of the game. “That is one of the many similarities there are – both have attackers in great form.”
Enrique has had real joy playing Demebele through the middle, although he did line-up from his more traditional right wing role at the weekend, with the attacker grabbing a goal and assist against Lille. If Enrique goes for a similar system against Liverpool, Goncalo Ramos will likely start up top.
But a front three of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Dembele and Bradley Barcloa looks more likely, with Dembele starting centrally. Lee Kang-in is another option who has played regularly this season.
PSG predicted XI: Donnarumma; Hakami, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes, Doue, Neves, Vitinha; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcloa.
