Paris Saint-Germain’s head coach Luis Enrique has expressed his concerns about the formidable speed of Liverpool’s attacking trio ahead of their Champions League encounter. The highly anticipated first leg of the round of 16 match will take place at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
Enrique emphasized the importance of ball retention to his team, noting the counter-attacking prowess of their opponents. “Liverpool showcases one of Europe’s most lethal counter-attacks, so maintaining possession will be crucial for us to minimize risks from transitions,” Enrique remarked at a press event on Tuesday. He described Liverpool’s front three as “fighter jets,” acknowledging the challenge in stopping them.
Leading Liverpool’s attack, Mohamed Salah is having an exceptional season, already netting 30 goals in 39 appearances, with strong support from teammates Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo.
Enrique also acknowledged Liverpool’s consistent performance in the group stage, crediting their coach Arne Slot for crafting a nearly flawless team capable of both defending robustly and launching swift attacks. In a candid admission, Enrique suggested that Liverpool might hold a slight upper hand: “They can create threats even without the ball, something we’re less accustomed to.”
Meanwhile, PSG comes into the match with an impressive 22-game unbeaten streak since their November loss to Bayern Munich. The team’s reconfigured attack, following Kylian Mbappé’s transfer to Real Madrid, has resulted in 40 goals over their last ten matches. Enrique has skillfully adjusted team formations, allowing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola to integrate effectively with Ousmane Dembélé upfront.
Post-Mbappé, PSG has displayed improved teamwork, with Dembélé delivering his career’s best performance, scoring 26 goals in 33 matches. Emerging talents like the swift 19-year-old Désiré Doué and accurate shooter Gonçalo Ramos are additional options for PSG from the bench.
Enrique hopes to capitalize on the intense atmosphere at Parc des Princes, which he believes can shake their opponents. “Playing at our home stadium under such pressure is challenging for any team,” he stated.
However, Liverpool’s own fortress, Anfield, presents a daunting challenge for return matches, as Barcelona experienced in the 2019 semifinals after a heavy defeat there.
Both PSG and Liverpool are excelling in their domestic competitions. PSG is steadily advancing towards a potential 13th French league title, while Liverpool is vying for a historic 20th Premier League victory. Adding a seventh Champions League title would see Liverpool match AC Milan’s standing.
PSG’s closest brush with Champions League glory remains their narrow 1-0 defeat to Bayern in the final of the pandemic-altered 2020 season.
