Luis Enrique has recalled his big guns as Paris Saint-Germain looks to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the Champions League against Liverpool.
The French champion finds itself behind in the last-16 tie after Harvey Elliott’s goal completed a smash-and-grab win for the Reds in Paris. Arne Slot had goalkeeper Alisson Becker to thank for a remarkable performance, with his clean sheet ensuring the Reds have the advantage back at Anfield today.
There has been no lack of confidence on PSG’s side though that they will make up for that defeat last week, and secure a place in the quarter-finals with a victory on Merseyside. Enrique has certainly done all he can to make sure his players are ready for the second leg.
The PSG boss made eight changes to his side for the 4-1 win at Rennes on Saturday, with Willian Pacho, Joao Neves and Bradley Barcola the only starters retained from the defeat to Liverpool.
Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele all came off the bench at the weekend, while Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marquinhos and Fabian Ruiz were all rested completely.
Unsurprisingly, those big names return to the side at Anfield, with Enrique making eight changes in total from the weekend as he reverts to the team that started last week’s first leg in Paris.
That means the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate will have to be at the top of their game again as they come up against Dembele, Barcola and Kvaratskhelia, while Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz will hope to have some more luck against Marquinhos and Pacho.
Confirmed PSG team vs Liverpool: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Barcola, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.
Substitutes: Doue, Hernandez, Kimpembe, Kang-In, Beraldo, Ramos, Mayulu, Mbaye, Safonov, Tenas, Zaire-Emery.
